J&K still waiting for promised statehood: Tarigami

Srinagar, Aug 5: CPI(M) leader and MLA Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Centre over the constitutional changes of August 5, 2019, describing them as an assault on federalism and the democratic relationship between the Union of India and Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference, Tarigami alleged that the reorganisation of the erstwhile state and the abrogation of Article 370 were carried out without consulting the people of Jammu and Kashmir, fundamentally altering the constitutional arrangement that had existed since the accession of the erstwhile state to the Union of India.
He said that despite repeated assurances from the Centre, Jammu and Kashmir continues to await the restoration of full statehood, adding that governance and key policy decisions concerning the Union Territory remain concentrated in New Delhi rather than with elected institutions in Jammu and Kashmir.
The CPI(M) leader further alleged that political dissent and democratic expression continue to face restrictions, claiming that the space for political activity and an independent press has steadily narrowed since the 2019 constitutional changes.
Rejecting the Centre’s claims that the decisions of August 5 had brought peace and progress, Tarigami maintained that the people of Jammu and Kashmir had yet to see the fulfilment of promises made regarding democratic empowerment and restoration of statehood.
Calling August 5 a “Black Day”, he urged democratic and secular forces across the country to support what he described as the constitutional and democratic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. [KNT]