NC terms amendments ‘flagrant abuse of power’
The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Saturday vehemently denounced the recent amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 as a “flagrant abuse of power, designed to stifle the democratic voice of the people”.
Slamming the recent amendments made by the BJP-led government in Jammu and Kashmir, the party’s Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq in a statement issued here said the move is “apparently designed to silence the democratic voice of the people”.
“This manipulation is evident in the recent Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) order, which consolidates its authority and marginalizes local representation. The government’s decision to empower an unelected Lieutenant Governor over an elected government is a blatant attack on the future of democracy in J&K,” Sadiq said. “This should serve as a wake-up call for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP-led government’s agenda is to disempower the people by stripping them of their rightful political power.”
Tanvir said that in the forthcoming elections, it is crucial for the citizens, particularly those in Jammu, to oust the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from power. “The true motives of the BJP and its cohorts have been laid bare: starting with the downgrading of the state to a Union Territory, followed by its division, and now culminating in this decree designed to weaken the collective democratic rights of the people and centralizing power,” he said.
The NC Chief Spokesperson added, “Beware, for there are parties in Delhi that have been established or backed by agencies with the sole purpose of dividing votes and silencing the voices of the people. We must remain vigilant, for these parties will stop at nothing to weaken us. It is a sad and undemocratic reality, but we will not stand idly by. We are determined to fight against this injustice with all our might, and we will not rest until Jammu and Kashmir reclaims its rightful place.”
Meanwhile, former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in a post on social media platform X, said the decision indicates impending elections in the region. “The people of J&K deserve better than a powerless, rubber-stamp Chief Minister who will have to beg the LG for even minor appointments,” Abdullah wrote.
Amendment will reduce J&K Assembly to municipality: PDP
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti criticised the amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, saying it reduces the once-powerful legislative assembly to a mere municipality.
“This measure ensures that any future democratically elected government in Jammu and Kashmir will be powerless, with real power held by the LG, who is brought from outside and is unfamiliar with local affairs,” she said.
Mehbooba called on opposition parties nationwide to voice their concerns against such “high-handedness”, questioning the Central government’s trust in the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
Murder of democracy before elections: JKPCC
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) on Saturday strongly criticised a new amendment to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, describing it as a “murder of democracy”. The party has reiterated its call for the restoration of full statehood in Jammu & Kashmir before assembly elections.
JKPCC Chief Vikar Rasool Wani, along with Working President Raman Bhalla, former MP Ch Lal Singh, Vice President Adv Naresh Gupta, General Secretary Riyaz Aed, DCC President Sheikh Mujeeb, and other senior leaders, addressed a large gathering in Doda on Saturday.
In his address, Vikar said the new amendment aims to strip the institution of the chief minister and council of ministers of their power, vesting absolute authority in the Lieutenant Governor. “This move is a dictatorial step that disempowers the people of Jammu & Kashmir, leaving the future elected government powerless and without control over the bureaucracy and administration, while still being accountable to the people,” he said.
The J&K Congress Chief termed the amendment a “conspiracy” by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to run a “proxy government” from Delhi, saying the saffron party anticipates defeat in the upcoming assembly elections. He called for all political parties to unite in demanding the restoration of full statehood before holding assembly elections.
JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla accused the BJP of attempting to maintain control over Jammu & Kashmir from Delhi even after the elections. “The move is a betrayal and an insult to democracy and the Constitution,” he said, demanding the order be rescinded.
Bhalla further criticised the BJP and the Central government for the rise in terror activities and the killings of innocent civilians and jawans. “Raising slogans against Pakistan and burning effigies is not enough. More decisive action is needed to curb terrorism and ensure the safety of citizens,” he said.
Former MP Ch Lal Singh slammed the BJP government for its “failures on multiple fronts, including rising unemployment and increased taxation”. “The BJP is afraid of assembly elections and is issuing dictatorial orders to undermine the rights of the elected government before it is even formed,” he said.
Singh said there is rise of terrorism in the Jammu region. He urged the Central government to take firm measures to control the situation for the smooth conduct of the Amarnath Yatra and timely assembly elections.
All parties must ‘unitedly’ oppose the order: CPI(M)
Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami on Saturday it is high time for all political parties to “unitedly” oppose the new amendment made to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
The CPI(M) leader wrote on the social media site X: “The recent amendments by the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, constitute another brazen assault on the remaining nominal rights, virtually downsizing a historic state to the status of a bigger municipality. It is high time for all political parties to unitedly oppose the autocratic order and demand its revocation.”
Time to set aside pol differences to protect J&K’s rights: Apni Party
Expressing deep concern over the Central government’s move to amend the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, to give additional powers to the lieutenant governor (LG), Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari has called for unity among all regional political parties. He emphasised the need to collectively advocate for the restoration of J&K’s statehood with all the powers it held before August 5, 2019.
Expressing his concern over the amendment, Bukhari said, “Amending the J&K Reorganization Act to Increase LG’s powers would eventually weaken the State, diminish the Assembly’s authority, and undermine the elected government in the future.”
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here, Altaf Bukhari said, “This is something alarming, and J&K’s political parties cannot afford to remain silent on this amendment. We need to unite and advocate for the rights of J&K and its people. Therefore, the Apni Party, as a smaller and newer political entity, requests all regional political parties to set aside our political differences and join hands to ensure the restoration of rights to Jammu and Kashmir.”
“We cannot afford a weak assembly and a powerless elected government. To effectively address pressing public issues and grievances, J&K needs a strong assembly and a capable government, regardless of who is elected. It is high time that we collectively raise our voices. This is imperative; it’s now or never,” he added.
The Apni Party Chief further said, “We do not demand anything extraordinary; we simply ask to be granted what we are entitled to under the constitution of the country. Why shouldn’t J&K have an assembly and government with the same powers enjoyed by every other state? This is our right, and I urge all parties to unite in reclaiming this right.”
He added, “Post-August 2019, Apni Party engaged with government leaders in Delhi to secure the restoration of exclusive rights for the people of J&K over agricultural land and jobs. Although we were ridiculed, accused, and even abused at that time for going to Delhi and meeting the leaders, the fact is that we successfully ensured the protection of lands and jobs for the people in J&K. However, this time it is imperative that all political parties unite to ensure the reinstatement of our assembly and statehood with the same powers we previously held.”
‘Systematic disempowerment in J&K’: PC
Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Conference President Sajad Lone on Saturday voiced strong opposition to the recently passed amendments to the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act – 2019″, terming them as “part of a continued systematic disempowerment of people of J&K”.
In a statement posted on X, Lone said, “The amendments passed yesterday are part of a continued systematic disempowerment of people of J&K. Another move to disempower and humiliate the people of J&K.”
He asserted that these amendments “even violate the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act – 2019”.
“Yet again a humble appeal. Please don’t strengthen the perception of being at war with your own people in J&K,” he said.
