BJP desired for a demographic shift in Kashmir Valley: Yusuf Tarigami

SRINAGAR: CPM leader Yusuf Tarigami has alleged that BJP desired for a demographic shift in Kashmir Valley, besides separating Jammu and Ladakh from it. He said the party would fight the idea of abrogating Article 370 too.

“Some people see BJP’s Article 370 plans as electoral noises but the fact is that it is their main design,” Tarigami, a three time MLA told a crowded news conference in Srinagar on Monday. “BJP is also not unwilling to implement RSS’ idea of changing the demography of Kashmir, creating a new state of Jammu and giving UT status to Ladakh.”

Tarigami said Article 370 was like an umbilical cord or windpipe between J&K and the rest of India. “Though it has been completely hollowed, its symbolic presence is a must for the state,” Tarigami said. “Fiddling with this Srticle will add to the mistrust of the people and induce crisis.”

“This government cannot be permitted to implement the agenda of communal RSS. We will fight against these divisive elements in Parliament and outside because India has a strong secular lobby,” Tarigami claimed. All presidential orders that hollowed this ‘Article of faith’ were unconstitutional and illegal and must be withdrawn, he damnaded.

Tarigami took a strong exception to the statement made by minority affairs minister Najma Heptullah that Muslims do not form a minority. He said Justice Sachar committee has already detailed the crisis in which Muslims were living across India. “I advise her to analyse the report, which shows Muslims in India are lagging behind certain OBC, ST/SC.”