Similarly, National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah reiterated the party’s resolve to continue the struggle to challenge the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A.
“We will continue our peaceful struggle using all legal and constitutional means to challenge what was done to J&K on 5th Aug 2019. The road ahead may be a long one, full of twists and turns but it’s not one @JKNC_ will abandon,” Omar posted on Twitter.
People’s Conference chairman Sajad Lone blamed NC-PDP alliance for endorsing further decline in the political identity of J&K “by their deceptive conduct”, and accused the BJP of “continuing to disempower masses of the erstwhile state of J&K.”
A delegation of the Congress, led by former minister Tariq Karra and senior leader Taj Mohiuddin, also assembled at the party office on Maulana Azad Road in Srinagar to protest against the abrogation of Article 370.
However, Lieutenant General Manoj Sinha declared August 5 as “Bhrashtachar Mukt Diwas” (Corruption-free day). Sinha attended a number of functions in Srinagar, and flagged off ‘The Great India Run’ from Lal Chowk. The marathoners will cover a distance of more than 800 km from Srinagar to New Delhi with the message of peace and national integration. But apart from official events, there wasn’t much of a celebration.
Unease in Jammu, Ladakh
In Jammu too, the situation of the last three years has had some sobering effect on the people. The celebration on August 5 was largely limited to the BJP and its supporters while the other parties watched from a distance. A significant number of people in Hindu dominated districts of Jammu support abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, but some of its provisions have begun to bite.
It is true that over the last year, Jammu and Ladakh have exhibited visible signs of disaffection with the fallout of the repeal of Article 370. A looming prospect of demographic change, loss of jobs and land rights have made people uneasy. People in Jammu apprehend that their region would be the first destination for the eligible outsiders choosing to settle in J&K. But while the expression has been muted in Jammu, people have been vocal about their rights in Ladakh. Last year when all parties in Ladakh closed ranks against entry of outsiders and to this end threatened to boycott the then LAHDC elections, the centre promptly assured these protections to the region unlike its approach to Kashmir. But until these safeguards are actually granted, Ladakhis will have reason to feel apprehensive.
