14 July 2024: Srinagar: Altaf Bukhari, the chief of the Apni Party, has urged political parties in Jammu and Kashmir to set aside their differences and collectively protest against the central government’s decision to grant more powers to the Union Territory’s lieutenant governor. This call to action was made during a press conference on Saturday, where Bukhari expressed deep concerns over the recent amendments to the Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
The amendments allow the L-G to take decisions on significant matters including police, IAS and IPS officer appointments, and prosecutorial sanctions. This transfer of authority is seen by many as a move to diminish the powers of an elected government in the region.
“Our state was downgraded and bifurcated in 2019 with the promise of full statehood restoration. This new decision aims to further hollow out the state’s powers, leaving no real authority for an elected government,” Bukhari stated. He criticized the Centre’s approach, suggesting that it intends to create a “powerless assembly” in Jammu and Kashmir, which he believes is unacceptable.
Bukhari emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir’s assembly was once among the most powerful in the country. He argued that if the Centre cannot restore full powers, at the very least, the assembly should be on par with others across India. “If they want the chief minister to be a toothless tiger, it will not resolve the issues facing the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he remarked.
He called on all political factions to unite on this critical issue. “This affects our future. We must ensure that the statehood we regain is not empty but equipped with full powers to serve the people,” Bukhari declared, urging a collective effort to safeguard the region’s interests.
In addition to political unity, Bukhari appealed to the Centre to release Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, who remains in Tihar jail despite securing significant public support. “It is shameful that he is still detained. The will of the people must be respected in a democracy,” he asserted.
The call for a united front against the central government’s policies reflects the growing discontent among Jammu and Kashmir’s political leaders, who are determined to fight for the region’s autonomy and political rights.
