Srinagar, Aug 11: Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Friday accused the traditional political leaders in Jammu & Kashmir of always deceiving the people for their own political gains and electoral benefits. He urged the people not to continue “falling prey to deceptive politics” any longer.
Bukhari made these comments while addressing a party convention at Soibugh, in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, on Friday, the party said in a statement, adding, “The convention was attended by a large number of people. The event was significant because it marked the first public outreach campaign initiated by a mainstream political party in nearly four decades, since 1987.”
Recalling the “sufferings and troubles” that the people of this area have been facing for the past more than thirty years, Bukhari said, “Back in 1987, an individual from this very locality attempted to place his trust in the power of the ballot box, seeking to bring about positive change for the people. But his well-deserved victory was denied, compelling them to opt for bullets instead of ballots.”
He quickly added, “However, the path of the violence brought only miseries and troubles to the people of this place and elsewhere across J&K. Today, we know for sure that the path of violence brought only misery and turmoil to the people of this region and beyond in J&K. Today, we are certain that violence is by no means a solution to our problems.”
Urging the people to contribute their efforts for a peaceful environment in Jammu and Kashmir, the Apni Party chief said that sustained peace would eventually pave the way for the prosperity and development of this land and its people.
He expressed the Apni Party’s “unwavering commitment” to fostering lasting peace, sustained prosperity, and equivalent development in the region of Jammu and Kashmir. He promised that the party would ensure the economic and political empowerment of the people.
“We are destined to be Indians, and I firmly believe that everything necessary for the prosperity and development of this region will come from New Delhi. The solutions to our problems lie within Delhi. However, it is our responsibility to foster a peaceful environment here, enabling the benefits of peace to take root,” he said.
Talking about the abrogated articles – 370 and 35A – Bukhari expressed his hope that the Supreme Court, which is currently hearing the petitions regarding these revoked constitutional provisions, would deliver “justice” to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“For a while now, I’ve asserted that only the Supreme Court possesses the authority to restore what was taken away from us on August 5, 2019. I am hopeful that the apex court will indeed grant justice to the people of this region,” he said.
