J&K hearing redefinition of Article 370 ahead of 3rd anniversary of August 5 decisions

Arun Joshi  The newest political party, Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party, has redefined  Article 370 and Article 35 A snapped in August 2019, claiming that it has brought back core of essence of these constitutional provisions to the people, instead of looking for symbols and slogans. The party has pivoted itself in the middle-ground, challenging the narratives of the traditional parties of  Kashmir, particularly National Conference and People’s Democratic Party now leading the  People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration , as also that of  BJP  which  tirelessly  claims it has transformed the erstwhile state, now divided into the two union territories of J&K and Ladakh  from dark era to brightly lit path of new future for the masses. Syed Altaf Bukhari  who founded  Apni Party on March 8, 2020, has drawn his own script and interpretation of the  special status , rights and privileges of the natives of Jammu and Kashmir . It is all about jobs and land , the fundamentals of the identity  and dignity that the  people of Kashmir had seen in the protective cover of the Article 370 and Article 35 A . The Article 370 recogniosed Jammu and  Kashmir as a special status state within the Indian union , conferring it with its own constitution , flag and an all-powerful legislature that could frame its own laws while having the powers to facilitate or stall application of the Central laws to the former state. Article  35 A  which was enabled by the specials status provisions  conferred exclusive rights of jobs and  immovable property to the permanent residents of the state. “ I want  to ask , what  were Article 370 and 35 A all about?” Altaf Bukhari persistently raises this question in chaste Kashmiri at all his party’s rallies across Kashmir , then goes on to answer , “ this was about jobs and inalienable rights to the land.” There  hangs a tale. Within days of its formation , the Apni Party leaders  traveled to Delhi  and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi  and  Home Minister  Amit Shah . The party  listed a series of points for consideration of the  top leadership of the country, but  among others  three   issues were of primary concern, which had  risen following the August 5, 2019 decisions  of doing away with the special status under Article 370 and exclusive jobs and property rights under Article 35 A . The population in Kashmir had gone into a silent mode  due to  heaviest -ever presence of troops and troopers of security forces as also scared by the barbed wires defining new limits of movement beyond  doorsteps. This time had posed new challenges – the traditional leadership , which calls itself as mainstream,  was in detention . There was a big vacuum and no one was willing to stick their neck put . And the Centre had made it clear that it would not entertain any  plea against August 5 decisions,, implying  that the constitutional changes were  sacrosanct. This party which was just out of the womb  took up the three crucial issues – ( a) restoration of statehood to J&K  as the UT status  was an insult to the political and human dignity of the place and the people , though much of the geographical area ,i. e.  59,146 sq kms  went with Ladakh UT, and J&K had to remain contented with 24, 241 sq kms  ( b) demography should not be changed, the Muslim majority region was simmering with apprehensions that the abolition of the special status would result in flooding of outsiders into the territory, thus undermining its demography , ( c) the locals  should get all jobs and their opportunities and access to services in the government  stay exclusively with them. The Home Minister , during the interaction with Apni Party’s delegation , addressed the main concern  as he stated  that the Centre has “ no  intention for demographic change in the region and all such talks have no basis at  all .” and on the issue of the restoration of statehood said: “ The government will work with all sections of  the society to realize the ho[es of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir at an early opportunity .” Altaf Bukhari and his team  had also challenged the Government when it introduced domicile policy, enabling the  outsiders who had lived in the erstwhile state for 15 years, and the officers who served for 10 years and their children , and represented to the Union Government  and got a guarantee that all posts in the UT government would be for the natives . Having  achieved this, Apni Party has given its own definition to the special status and privileges , and simultaneously mocking at the  NC and PDP that ruled the former state for most of the period since independence , for having failed  even to  raise the issue in the real perspective . “ They did not utter a word when the people needed them the most. . Did we commit any mistake by putting your problems across to the government of India ? He asks . “ He doesn’t spare the BJP either. He blames the saffron party for demolishing the heritage of Jammu and Kashmir and outsourc9ing J&K’s resources to outsider. “ All the claims  of J&K transformation of J&K is their delusion , in reality, the common masses are suffering.” And , the public knowing that things are  at a critical stage , where from August 5, 2019 cannot be reversed , and the  BJP  is running far short  of its objective of sweeping the Valley with its colour . There is a resistance to its  ways and  means . This has placed Altaf Bukhari and his party in the  middle spot . How would it translate in elections is too early to predict , but  this is a narrative having its own relevance in Kashmir. About the Author: Arun Joshi is a senior journalist based in J&K. He has worked with Hindustan Times, Times of India, Indian Express, and The Tribune. He has authored “ Eyewitness Kashmir: Teetering on Nuclear War” and three other books. DISCLAIMER This is the personal opinion of the author. The views expressed in this write-up have nothing to do with those of prameyanews.com.