Farooq Abdullah and Others Demand Early Elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Cite Mahatma Gandhi’s Vision as the Foundation of Integration with India
03-08-2023 : National Conference President Farooq Abdullah, joined by several prominent opposition leaders, made a strong demand for early assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. Farooq Abdullah emphasized that the state’s decision to stay with India can be attributed to Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of an inclusive and united nation. He reiterated that Article 370 was only meant to be temporary, contingent on a plebiscite that never took place.
The gathering saw the presence of esteemed leaders, including Sitaram Yechury, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), former Jammu and Kashmir MLA Yusuf Tarigami, Kargil politician Sajjad Hussain Kargili, DMK MP Kanimozhi, NCP’s Supriya Sule, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, and RJD MP Manoj Jha. All these leaders stood united in endorsing the demand for early polls in Jammu and Kashmir.
Reflecting on the state’s political history, Farooq Abdullah highlighted that the region had been facing challenges since India’s independence. He lamented the trust deficit between the government and the people and stressed the necessity of initiating a dialogue with Pakistan to address infiltration and reduce the impact of any India-Pakistan tragedy on Indian Muslims. Abdullah further noted the concerning rise in communal divisions within the country.
Sitaram Yechury also addressed the gathering, drawing attention to the grave situation in Jammu and Kashmir. He questioned the government’s claims of normalcy and emphasized the abnormality of not holding elections in the region. Yusuf Tarigami, the former Jammu and Kashmir MLA, expressed concerns about a bill seeking to include four communities in the Scheduled Tribes list of the Union territory. He stressed the importance of dialogue with tribal groups before implementing such legislation, to ensure unity rather than division among communities.
The event highlighted the prevailing inflation and job scarcity issues faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir, similar to those faced by citizens in the rest of the country. Sajjad Hussain Kargili, a Ladakh politician, raised questions about the statehood status of Ladakh and criticized the government’s approach to governance.
Addressing the audience, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expressed his disappointment over the lack of elections in Jammu and Kashmir for nine years and advocated for a humanitarian approach in search and cordon operations to avoid unnecessary security personnel casualties.
RJD MP Manoj Jha criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party for its divisive tactics and urged for a challenge to such approaches. He drew parallels with situations in Manipur and Haryana, highlighting the need to conduct elections in a democratic and inclusive manner.
Supriya Sule and Kanimozhi expressed concern over communal violence in Haryana and the situation in Manipur. Both leaders extended their support for early assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing the importance of democratic processes and peace-building measures in the region.
