'Constitution Suspended, Our Rights Attacked': Farooq Abdullah Announces Oppn Protest In J-K On Oct 10

Former Jammu and Kashmir CM Farooq Abdullah announced that the opposition leaderscollectively decided to stage a peaceful protest on October 10, expressing deep concerns about the state of democracy in the UT.

File Photos of former Jammu Kashmir chief ministers Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti

Leaders of various opposition parties convened under the chairmanship of National Conference president Farooq Abdullah in a crucial meeting on Tuesday. During the two-hour gathering, they unanimously decided to organise a peaceful protest in Jammu next week. The move has been met with resistance from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has labeled it as a conspiracy, asserting that public awareness of these leaders' actions will undermine their efforts, news agency PTI reported.

Farooq Abdullah addressed reporters after the meeting, expressing deep concerns about the state of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. He contended that the Constitution appeared to be suspended, with the democratic rights of the region's residents under attack, as per PTI's report. Abdullah announced that the opposition leaders had collectively decided to stage a peaceful protest on October 10 and were in the process of obtaining the necessary permissions from the divisional commissioner.

"We have jointly decided that on October 10 a peaceful protest will be held against the present condition of Jammu & Kashmir, how the Constitution has been suspended, and how our rights have been attacked," he said, as quoted by news agency ANI.

On October 10, former chief ministers, ex-MLAs, and MPs plan to unite in Jammu to defend the constitution and the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The protesters aim to convey their loss of hope in obtaining justice for the erstwhile state.

In response to queries about the inclusion of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party led by Ghulam Nabi Azad and the Apni Party headed by Altaf Bukhari in the meeting, Abdullah stated that they were considered government-affiliated parties.

Farooq Abdullah emphasised the importance of holding long-delayed assembly elections to address the political vacuum in Jammu and Kashmir. He questioned the government's repeated delays in conducting these elections, highlighting that both the delimitation process and voter list updates had been completed.

The meeting participants also expressed concerns regarding the abrupt changes in the government's stance. Abdullah noted that despite the government's claims of improvement in the situation following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, it appeared contradictory that they were hesitant to hold urban local body and panchayat elections scheduled for later this year.

In BJP's 'Amrit Kaal' Speaking The Truth Is The Biggest Crime: Mehbooba Mufti

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, who was part of the meeting, condemned the raids conducted by Delhi Police's special cell at the homes of NewsClick journalists. She alleged the suppression of truth-telling and criticism against the government, as well as the misuse of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Mufti urged the Editors Guild of India to take note of these developments.

"We condemn it. In BJP's 'Amrit Kaal' speaking the truth is the biggest crime. NewsClick used to ask questions to the government about inflation, unemployment, and WFI protest. Whoever asks questions to the government is jailed and slapped with UAPA," she remarked.

Regarding Jammu-Kashmir, Mufti commented, "This country thrives on the strength of the Constitution. Unfortunately, the BJP has been pursuing its own agenda. The constitutional rights we had, have been completely eroded in J&K. There are no elections taking place, scams are occurring in job recruitments, and people's economic stability has been compromised. Exam results are not being declared. Therefore, on the 10th (October), we will seek permission to conduct a peaceful protest."

CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami, another attendee, discussed the emerging situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the challenges faced by different segments of society in the Union Territory. He argued that denying the people the ability to elect their preferred government amounted to a suspension of their constitutional and democratic rights, which he viewed as a loss for the nation, PTI reported.

Misleading Public Through Gupkar Alliance And I.N.D.I.A Bloc: BJP

In response, the BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit president Ravinder Raina asserted that the people of the Union Territory had rejected these opposition leaders. Raina accused them of conspiring through formations like the Gupkar alliance and I.N.D.I.A bloc to mislead the public.

"Today, there is peace, progress, prosperity and brotherhood in Jammu and Kashmir... Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji has started a new era of development... and some people are troubled by it," Raina said, as per PTI

"We have full confidence that with the way the Modi government has worked in Jammu and Kashmir, I believe the BJP will form government in the Union Territory (whenever the elections are held)," he added. 

The meeting witnessed the participation of various opposition leaders, including PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Vikar Rasool Wani, CPI(M) leader Tarigami, and others from different parties.