Srinagar: In his first interview since the central government piloted a constitutional change in Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, former J&K minister Sajjad Lone said the new Kashmir alliance was not averse to speaking with Prime Minister Narendra. Modi and top government officials did listen to the sentiment on the ground.
“We have no disdain for the high officials of the country. We have full respect for them. There should be no problem speaking out, but in our humble way we will have to ensure that the dignity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir is not compromised. I believe Delhi it should talk to the people as it took away people’s rights, “Lone told News 18 when asked if the new alliance would like to interact with Prime Minister Modi and Interior Minister Amit Shah.
“They made the decision (referring to August 5, 2019) and they must engage … if not with us, then with the people. And ask them why there is so much anger and bitterness. The ball is in their court,” Lone said . he said, refusing to go into detail on the subject.
The president of the People’s Conference is seen as an architect of the new alliance launched by veteran politician Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday. Six major parties have come together to fight for the restoration of a special constitutional position that was eliminated last year when Parliament struck down the controversial Article 370 that gave residents of Jammu and Kashmir exclusive rights to employment, education and land. . Named the People’s Alliance for the Gupkar Declaration, a group of different parties that pledged to safeguard J & K’s special laws enshrined in the constitution last year will soon assign roles and an agenda for effective operation.
“Our motive is to recover what was taken from us by force, illegally and unconstitutionally and what by right belongs to us,” said Lone, who was jailed for months before being released.
“We are not looking for aazadi … all we are demanding is strictly within the constitution. We had said it before August 5, 2019 and we are saying it now. There is no change,” he said.
On Wednesday, Farooq Abdullah sought a resolution to the Kashmir issue through dialogue by inviting all interested parties, apparently India, Pakistan and Kashmir.
When asked about the BJP government’s repeated claim that there was no going back on Article 370, Lone said he doesn’t think it’s all set in stone. “People have a right to say, there is one in Srinagar and another in Delhi, but the world is dynamic. It keeps evolving. Nothing remains static.”
He said that in the coming days, the alliance will contact the leaders of Ladakh and Jammu to find out their views on the issue. ” I am sure that all shades of opinion would be accommodated. The collective mechanism of the alliance will ensure that we have an inclusive and holistic approach, ” he added.
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