Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari unfurls tricolour at Srinagar party headquarters
JK News Today
Srinagar, January 26: Apni Party leaders and senior workers gathered today at the party headquarters in Srinagar to celebrate Republic Day. Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari unfurled the tricolour during the celebrations. The atmosphere was cheerful as party leaders and workers enthusiastically took part, sang the national anthem, and raised patriotic slogans.
After the event, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari spoke to reporters and extended greetings to the people on this Republic Day.
Responding a question regarding, the demand for the separation of the Jammu region, he said, “Such calls have been raised for the past 75 years; there is nothing new about them. The fact is that both regions—Jammu and the Valley—have their own complaints and grievances. The central government must step forward to address these issues. Both regions are equal and should be treated as such.”
“Unfortunately, the BJP communalised Jammu to secure Hindu votes during the 2024 Assembly elections, and in response, the NC adopted a similar approach in the Valley. This polarisation along religious lines has damaged the social and secular fabric of Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
He went on to say, “Secularism is the soul of this country. People have made immense sacrifices to preserve its secular fabric. We cannot divide the population in the name of religion or region. I hope those at the helm of affairs understand that dividing people along religious or regional lines is harmful to the nation.”
Demanding the release of detainees, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “A general amnesty is essential for lasting peace and stability. We must pursue a path of reconciliation that includes all sections of society. Prisoners who have not been involved in heinous crimes should be released and provided an opportunity to reintegrate into the mainstream.”
Replying a question on public resentment over laying railway lines through fertile land and jungles, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “On this particular issue, I would request the Hon’ble Prime Minister to personally look into the matter. Ours is an agriculture- and horticulture-based economy. We cannot afford to give away fertile land for railway lines and other infrastructure projects, as doing so would harm our economy.”
Responding to a question about the elected government’s performance, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “We simply want the ruling party to fulfil the promises on the basis of which it received a public mandate. We hope the government will honour all its electoral commitments. We are waiting for the regularisation of nearly 65,000 daily wagers. We are still awaiting the fulfilment of the promise to create one lakh jobs here, as well as other promised commitments.
He urged the Centre to provide adequate funds to ensure that Jammu and Kashmir receives the development it urgently needs. He said that “Jammu Kashmir lacks basic infrastructure, particularly in the education and tourism sectors, and suffers from an acute shortage of teaching staff in schools.” He further stressed that the government must introduce “a comprehensive package for unemployed youth, who are grappling with a range of social and economic challenges due to joblessness.”
Besides Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, the prominent party leaders who were present on the occasion included party’s General Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir, Additional General Secretary Hilal Ahmad Shah, Provincial President Kashmir Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Media Advisor Farooq Andrabi, Political Advisor to President Farooq Reznu Shah, Youth President & Spokesperson Yawar Mir, Spokesperson Ishrat Bhat, DDC Meema ji, District President Srinagar Mohammad Shafi Mir, District President Budgam Adv Owais Ashraf Shah, District President Anantnag Mufti Sarwar, District President Ganderbal Javaid Mir, District President Baramulla Shabir Ahmad Shah, Provincial Secretary Sheraz Malik, Afroza Ji, and other leaders and workers.
