SRINAGAR: Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Friday said the removal of Article 370 and Article 35A had “inflicted a deep wound” on the emotions of people in Jammu and Kashmir and held both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accountable for the provision's dilution and ultimate revocation.
Addressing a party convention in Tral, Bukhari said Article 370 had been progressively weakened over time and that its complete abrogation on August 5, 2019, together with Article 35A, had a strong emotional impact on the people of the Union territory. He said his party had since raised issues of land and employment protections with the Centre and sought measures to safeguard local rights.
“Article 370 provided constitutional protection to our land and jobs, and that is why, following its abrogation along with Article 35A on August 5, 2019, the Apni Party pursued the matter with the Centre and ensured that the people of J&K must retain exclusive rights over land and employment,” the party president said.
Responsibility and political context
Bukhari argued that the responsibility for the erosion of the special status did not lie solely with one political formation. He blamed the Congress for having hollowed out the article over the years and the BJP for revoking it completely in 2019. He criticised the National Conference on its current stance, asserting that the party had campaigned on promises of restoring Articles 370 and 35A but was now focusing primarily on restoration of statehood.
In his address, he accused the National Conference of failing to deliver on several electoral promises, listing job creation and social welfare measures among unmet commitments. Without quantifying the shortfall, he cited pledges such as the creation of one lakh jobs, provision of free electricity units and free gas cylinders, and regularisation of daily wagers as promises that had not been fulfilled.
Measures sought and actions taken
Bukhari said the Apni Party had engaged with the Centre to press for protections that would preserve local residents’ rights over land and employment after the constitutional changes. He said efforts to persuade the government had resulted in the introduction of domicile provisions, which he described as measures intended to protect local entitlements.
| Issue | Party stance / action |
|---|---|
| Article 370 & 35A | Described as emotionally damaging; seen as diluted over years then revoked in 2019 |
| Land and employment rights | Apni Party sought safeguards from the Centre; supported introduction of domicile rules |
| Dialogue with New Delhi | Called for talks, especially to engage youth and address trust deficit |
Call for dialogue and focus on youth
The Apni Party leader underlined the need for direct engagement between New Delhi and the people of Jammu and Kashmir, with a particular emphasis on young people. He said such a dialogue was essential to address their concerns and to bridge what he described as an existing trust deficit.
- Bukhari urged New Delhi to initiate a sustained conversation with the people of J&K, especially the youth.
- He maintained that domicile provisions were necessary to protect local land and job rights after the constitutional changes.
- He criticised the National Conference for shifting its priorities from restoration of Articles 370 and 35A to statehood demands.
Delivering a strongly worded critique of both major national parties, Bukhari positioned his party’s demands around safeguarding economic and territorial rights for the region’s residents. The comments come amid continuing political debate in Jammu and Kashmir over the consequences of the 2019 constitutional changes and the region’s future governance arrangements.
The speech in Tral adds to ongoing discussions in political circles and civil society about remedies and protections for those affected by the 2019 decisions. Bukhari’s position highlights the intersection of constitutional law, local economic concerns and the need for political dialogue in addressing long-standing grievances in the Union territory.
