Srinagar: Senior PDP leader Nizamuddin Bhat sees an imminent threat to Article 370 and 35-A with New Delhi working on a design to do away with Kashmir’s special status.
In a statement issued here, Bhat said PM Modi’s assertions to abolish the two constitutional provisions and Congress ‘s hypocritical responses are sufficient indications that New Delhi is bent on depriving the state of all constitutional guarantees linked with accession.
Bhat said the process has already been set in motion at the political level and discourse against the status is being made thicker every day.
He said that even many ordinances and administrative orders issued during Governor Rule are evidence to the fact that all privileges arising out of the special status are being snatched and laws guaranteeing the same are diluted and amended.
“The autonomy of religious institutions and institutions of identity has been fiddled with and undermined with impunity.”
Bhat said it is ironical that those who would ride high on autonomy wave have been playing the role of surrogates making way for erosions.
He expressed dismay over the disjointed approach of local political parties, which he said cannot match the well-crafted design of New Delhi.
Pinning hope in the awareness of people, their love for identity and years of struggle and sacrifices Bhat said that simmering resistance against erosions will throw up a successful movement to stall the anti-identity tirade.
Bhat said regional parties should not fail people and should realize the damage being done in absence of a common approach for a common cause.
Pleading unity, Bhat said it is important that those favoring Special status and dialogue on Kashmir should come together and avoid indulging in discord and maligning campaign.
He said it is better to forge harmony than dig into past making a case against one another.
He appealed civil society to play its role in the larger interest of its suffering people as this juncture offers them a critical role.
