‘Naya Kashmir’ promise a joke: Gupkar Alliance

The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration and other political parties in Jammu and Kashmir has termed BJP’s idea of ‘Naya Kashmir’ as a hoax and a joke. The decisions made on August 5, 2019, damaged the bond of J&K with the Union of India, alienated people further, PAGD has alleged, while calling it a ‘dark day’ in the region’s history.

On the second anniversary of the abrogation of special status of J&K, PAGD, an amalgam of regional bodies formed in October 2020 for restoration of statehood and special status of J&K, reiterated that it would not succumb and continue the struggle in defence of rights, using every opportunity through peaceful and legal means. “The hoax of BJP’s Naya Kashmir is a joke now… J&K remains as far from Delhi and from India’s heart, as it has ever been; rather the distances are further widening and disheartening is deepening,” PAGD alleged in a statement issued in Srinagar on Wednesday.

The PAGD led by former chief minister Farooq Abdullah who represents Srinagar in the Lok Sabha, said that it had hoped that the Centre would soon realise the ‘futility’ of its decisions made on August 5 2019. It said following the changes adopted, the BJP led government in New Delhi detained over 7,500, including former chief ministers, Hurriyat leaders, traders, lawyers across J&K to ensure there was no protest against the decisions. It also imposed a lockdown and communication clampdown for several weeks.


“The recent participation of J&K leaders with the PM was a leap of faith on that hope but none of the measures required to begin rebuilding the shattered confidence of the people of J&K have been taken,” PAGD said. The Centre has set a precedent that any state can cease to exist and can be carved into any number of fragments any time, by placing it under governor's rule, it said.

“Abrogation of Article 35A made the status of permanent residents redundant. Protection of jobs and land rights was removed arbitrarily which deepened the alienation and sense of insecurity in all the regions. The economy of J&K has virtually collapsed as tourism, trade agriculture, horticulture and handicraft sectors were badly hit. Employment opportunities are shrinking.”