We believe in dialogue and reconciliation, not protests and confrontations: Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari
JK News Today
Srinagar, July 18: Apni Party on Saturday announced its support for the ruling National Conference’s demand for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. However, the party decided not to participate in the National Conference’s proposed sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the party’s senior leadership at its Srinagar headquarters. Pertinently, NC has invited political parties and individuals to participate in its proposed protest in Delhi to press for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
After today’s meeting, party’s president, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, announced at a press conference the unanimous decision and said since the demand for the statehood to Jammu and Kashmir reflects the aspiration of the people, we fully support the demand, however, in today’s meeting it was decided that we will not be the part of NC’s proposed protest in Delhi.
He said, “We met and discussed the issue thoroughly. It was decided that we would not be part of this protest..”
He further said, “Apni Party believes that the issues and grievances faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and their genuine demands including the restoration of statehood and other constitutional rights, can be achieved through a meaningful dialogue with the Government of India rather than through protests.” “We believe in duologue and reconciliation, not in protests and confrontations,” he added.
Apni Party President said that the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir has been one of the party’s core agendas since its inception.
He said, “On the very first day of the party’s formation, on March 8, 2020, we clearly outlined our vision and agenda. We pledged to strive for the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, including the restoration of statehood, constitutional guarantees to protect the exclusive rights of the people over land and jobs, and the safeguarding of their other constitutional and democratic rights.”
He went on to say, “Apni Party strongly believes that these rights can be achieved through meaningful dialogue with the Government of India, not through confrontation. History bears witness that whenever we have chosen the path of confrontation with New Delhi, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have ended up losing one right after another. Therefore, the party believes that constructive engagement and dialogue are the most effective way to secure the rights and aspirations of the people.”
He continued, “History offers many lessons. For instance, in 1953, the National Conference launched the so-called Raishumari movement, but it ultimately ended up giving the position of Prime Minister and settled for the office of Chief Minister instead. Likewise, in the 1990s, when certain demands were being raised, one of India’s Prime Ministers offered talks, saying that ‘the sky is the limit.’ However, the path of confrontation was chosen over dialogue, and in the end, nothing was achieved.”
“That is why Apni Party believes in reconciliation and meaningful engagement. We are convinced that dialogue, not confrontation, is the only practical and effective way to secure the rights and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,”
Taking a swipe at National Conference, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “We are happy that the NC has finally endorsed the people’s demand for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, although it took the ruling party six years to do so.”
He also criticised the National Conference (NC) for avoiding broader consultations on the demand for the restoration of statehood.
He said, “NC took this decision on its own. It decided to go ahead with the protest. Had it held broader consultations with all stakeholders, a better and more effective way of presenting the demand for the restoration of statehood before New Delhi might have emerged.”
However, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari clarified that “Apni Party is not supporting the NC’s protest, but it fully supports the demand for the restoration of statehood, as this demand reflects the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
He further said, “However, I am apprehensive that if every political party starts taking unilateral decisions on the issue of restoring statehood merely to score political points, we may end up achieving nothing.”
Urging broader political unity to ensure that the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir are protected and their genuine aspirations are fulfilled, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “On important issues such as the restoration of statehood, constitutional guarantees to protect the exclusive rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir over land and jobs, the release of detainees, and other key public concerns, all political parties must build consensus and speak with one voice. Only a united approach can effectively safeguard the rights, interests, and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Responding to a question, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “We oppose the National Conference because it has failed to provide effective governance despite receiving a massive mandate from the people. We question the party over its poor performance and failure to deliver on its promises. We will continue to hold it accountable and criticise its shortcomings on behalf of the people. We are the watchdogs of the people, ensuring that those in power remain answerable to them.”
He added, “Even on the issue of the restoration of statehood, there was no need for them to resort to street protests. They are elected representatives and possess the constitutional authority to raise such matters with the Centre through political and democratic means. They have the backing and support of the people, and they should use their mandate to pursue these issues through dialogue and constitutional processes.”
Responding to a question about NC’s invitation to the Congress party’s central leadership to join the proposed sit-in protest, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “We will be happy to see Congress leadership finally joining the demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional rights. Because we know it as a matter of fact that parties like Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supported the Centre’s actions of August 5, 2019.”
On this occasion, Apni Party President appealed to the Prime Minister to fulfil his promise of bridging the “Dilli aur Dil ki Douriyan” (the distance between New Delhi and the hearts of the people of Jammu and Kashmir).
He said, “Hon’ble Prime Minister had spoken about bridging the “Dilli aur Dil ki Douriyan” during a meeting with political parties from Jammu and Kashmir in New Delhi. However, that promise is yet to be fulfilled. In fact, the gap has only widened since then.”
“There is an urgent need for New Delhi to initiate a dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. There also needs to be a course correction with regard to what happened on August 5, 2019, which we believe was a dark day in the history of Jammu and Kashmir,” Mr. Bukhari added.
Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said that during their meeting with leaders at centre Apni Party convinced them to allow the people of Jammu and Kashmir to retain their exclusive rights over land and jobs. However, the extension of its tenure and the constitutional guarantee in this regard are yet to be ensured.
He said that the party also persuaded the Centre to initiate a dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir to address their genuine issues and grievances
“We were assured that this would happen,” he said. He added that the Hon’ble Prime Minister, during his meeting with political parties from Jammu and Kashmir in June 2021, re-assured that a dialogue would be initiated with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. However, this commitment is yet to be fulfilled.
He said that Apni Party would once again urge the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister to consider these demands, along with other demands for constitutional rights. Syed Mohammad ALtaf Bukahri said that in this regard he will call on Hon’ble Prime Minister and Hon’ble Home Minister.
During the press conference, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari was flanked by prominent party leaders, including Chairman of the party’s Parliamentary Affairs Committee Mohammad Dilawar Mir, General Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir, Provincial President Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Chief Coordinator Abdul Majeed Padder, and others.
