SRINAGAR: Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, the main political icons of Jammu and Kashmir and former chief ministers, have resolved to put a joint front together with other like-minded political parties and leaders against the Center’s “attack” on the single identity. of the old state, the political and economic interests of its people and for seeking the restoration of the special status it enjoyed before August 5, 2019.
The Abdullahs on Wednesday asked Mehbooba of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at his official residence here to briefly discuss the outlines of a broader alliance, the basis of which would be the ‘Gupkar Declaration’.
The ‘Gupkar Declaration’ is a promise from the main Kashmiri parties that took over at a meeting held at Senior Abdullah’s residence on Srinagar’s Gupkar Road on August 4, 2019, one day before the state was stripped of its status. special and divided into two Union Territories. (UT).
He had warned the Center that the repeal and even the modification of articles 35A and 370 of the Constitution and the delimitation or trifurcation of the State would be seen as an “aggression” against his people and he fought tooth and nail. The meeting had also unanimously declared that all parties would be united in their determination to protect and defend the identity, autonomy and special status of the JK against all “attacks and raids”.
Last month, the leaders of the National Conference (NC), the PDP, the Peoples’ Conference, the Awami National Conference, the CPIM and Congress issued a joint statement here saying that they are “fully bound” by the “Declaration of Gupkar “and” will adhere firmly to it. “Previously, the North Carolina political affairs committee had authorized its chairman Farooq Abdullah” to broaden acceptance of the ‘Gupkar Declaration’ among all sections in Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh ”.
The signatories of the statement are scheduled to meet at Farooq Abdullah’s residence on Thursday afternoon to discuss their future strategy. Mehbooba, who was unable to attend the last meeting, will also participate in the deliberations, sources from the PDP and NC said. This will be the third meeting of the political parties that are part of the ‘Gupkar Declaration’.
Omar Abdullah tweeted: “My father and I called @MehboobaMufti Sahiba this afternoon to inquire about his well-being after his release from detention. He has kindly accepted Farooq Sb’s invitation to join a meeting of the signatories of the Gupkar Declaration tomorrow afternoon. “
Mehbooba retweeted Abdullah’s tweet with his comment: “It was nice of you and Farooq sahab to come home. It gave me courage to hear it. I am sure that together we can improve things ”.
Shortly after his release from a 14-month detention on Tuesday night, Mehbooba, in an audio message posted on his Twitter account, requested the restoration of JK’s constitutional position prior to August 5, 2019 and the resolution of the Kashmir problem.
The 61-year-old leader called August 5, 2019 a “black day” in the history of JK and the central government’s move on that day as “black” and said it continued to strike at her heart and soul during her incarceration. . He acknowledged that all the people of JK “must have been through the same situation.”
She said: “None of us will ever forget the dacoity committed and the dishonor that was shown to us that day. Now we all have to renew and reiterate our commitment to fight for the return of what was taken from us in an undemocratic, unconstitutional and illegal way by Delhi darbar. On August 5 last year. “
In search of an urgent resolution to the Kashmir issue, for which, she said, people have made huge sacrifices, she stated that while it was not an easy task ahead, she was pretty sure that the unwavering determination of the people will facilitate the journey.
Mehbooba was one of hundreds of politicians and other activists pre-emptively detained before the repeal of Article 370 on August 5 last year.
Many of these leaders and activists, including the president of the PDP, were later formally detained under JK’s strict Public Safety Act (PSA). Most of the key political figures, including two other former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, were released earlier this year. However, Mehbooba remained imprisoned even after being transferred to her home in the capital Srinagar, which had been declared a “subsidiary prison” in April this year.
…
