Will engage Centre to restore hope, safeguard J&K’s rights: Altaf Bukhari

Srinagar, Nov 5: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Thursday announced that his party would engage with the Government of India to press for meaningful dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, accusing the ruling National Conference of failing to address growing political uncertainty, unemployment and public grievances.
Addressing a provincial-level meeting of party leaders and workers at the party headquarters in Srinagar, Bukhari said Jammu and Kashmir was passing through a difficult political phase, with people increasingly losing confidence in traditional political parties.
“Jammu and Kashmir is going through a period of serious political uncertainty. A growing sense of insecurity and anxiety has taken hold among the people, largely because of the misgovernance and failures of the elected government,” he said.
Bukhari said Apni Party would take the initiative to approach the Centre and seek a dialogue aimed at bridging the trust deficit and addressing the concerns of people.
“We will engage with the Government of India and impress upon it the importance of restoring hope among the J&K people, safeguarding their rights, and guiding Jammu and Kashmir towards a path of sustained peace, prosperity and development,” he said.
The former minister accused traditional political parties of making promises they had failed to fulfil, leaving people disappointed and uncertain about their future.
“People have gradually lost faith in traditional political parties. Their hollow promises, political rhetoric and repeated failures to deliver have left the public deeply disappointed,” he said.
Referring to the political developments following August 5, 2019, Bukhari claimed that Apni Party had played a crucial role in engaging with the Centre when uncertainty prevailed over the region’s identity, land and employment rights.
He said the party had stepped forward at a time when people feared losing their rights and identity following the constitutional changes.
Bukhari claimed that his party’s engagement with the Centre had helped safeguard the exclusive rights of Jammu and Kashmir residents over land and jobs and protect the region’s demographic character.
He said Apni Party would again pursue a constructive engagement with New Delhi to address the prevailing political and economic challenges.
Turning to the situation of young people, Bukhari called for measures to ensure that those languishing in jails receive a fair opportunity to return to their families and rebuild their lives.
He also opposed restrictions on passports for young people, saying such measures deprived them of opportunities to pursue education, employment and livelihoods outside Jammu and Kashmir.
The Apni Party chief identified unemployment as one of the biggest challenges facing the region and called for concrete measures to create meaningful employment opportunities.
“Jammu and Kashmir’s biggest challenge today is tackling rising unemployment and ensuring a secure and brighter future for our youth,” he said.
He maintained that merely involving young people in programmes would not be sufficient unless they were provided opportunities to build careers and secure their future.
In a sharp attack on the National Conference and the BJP, Bukhari accused both parties of denying people their democratic right to elect representatives at the grassroots level.
He demanded immediate conduct of Panchayat and Urban Local Bodies elections, alleging that legislators belonging to both parties had little incentive to restore elected local institutions.
“Both the NC and the BJP are responsible for depriving people of their democratic and constitutional right to elect their own representatives,” he said.
Bukhari alleged that MLAs belonging to the two parties had become beneficiaries of the absence of elected grassroots institutions.
He asked party leaders and workers to strengthen their engagement with people, listen to their grievances and remain accessible during the prevailing political uncertainty.
“Standing firmly with the people in these challenging times is our responsibility; they need us now more than ever,” he said.
The meeting, attended by senior leaders from across Kashmir, also reviewed the prevailing political situation, organisational activities and feedback received from different districts.
Among those present were party Vice Presidents Javaid Mustafa Mir and Haji Mohammad Syed Akhoon, General Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir, Additional General Secretary Hilal Ahmad Shah, Provincial President Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Chief Spokesperson Muntazir Mohi-ud-din and other senior leaders and district functionaries. (KNS)