Warning to initiate a ‘peoples agitation’  in case pro-India regional parties failed to protect the special status of the state, Hurriyat (M) Chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday said that the attempts to abrogate Article 35-A as a “very serious and critical matter”.

“Pro-India regional parties are duty bound to the people of JK not to allow it to happen and it is their responsibility to ensure that such designs are thwarted and resisted and the special status of the state protected at all cost,” he said in a statement issued here.

Mirwaiz said “otherwise people will hit the streets as there is no way that such measures will be tolerated. The consequences of all this will be the sole responsibility of these parties.”

Mirwaiz, who was barred from delivering Friday Sermon at Jama Masjid Srinagar, said after the passing of GST that did away with the state’s fiscal autonomy, hectic efforts are underway by the BJP-RSS combine to “altogether do away with the special status of J&K by challenging Article 35A in the Supreme Court.”

“As this article bars non-J&K state subjects to settle and buy property in J&K, the article is being challenged in court with the view to alter the demography of the state by settling people from outside the state, with the right to acquire land and property, and vote in the Assembly elections.”

Mirwaiz said it is basically aimed at reducing the 75% Muslim majority of the state into a minority and change the basic character of the state in order to undermine and deeply affect its disputed nature.

He said it being done under a deliberate plan and is part of the much flaunted “final solution ” to the Kashmir dispute by the Indian state led by the RSS.

Mirwaiz said for past 70 years people of JK have been striving and struggling and hugely sacrificing to make GOI accept the reality of the Kashmir dispute and make them fulfill their commitment to the people of Kashmir before the world community.

He said it is the duty of every Kashmiri to safeguard these sacrifices and play their role in resolution of the dispute.

Mirwaiz said since last year, more than 160 civilians have been killed with impunity by the forces while thousands became victim to pellet guns and lost their eyes and limbs.

Mirwaiz said those in power, especially the PDP, should realize that their weaknesses for power is making people of Kashmir pay dearly.

He said that history will never forgive them if they continue in this manner.

Guest