PAGD releases ‘white paper’ exposing BJP claims on Article 370 abrogation

In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, two and half years after the Modi-led fascist Indian government abrogated the Kashmir’s special status, the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), a group of political parties fighting for restoration of the pre-August 5, 2019 situation, has issued a white paper that counters claims made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the consequences of the abrogation.

The PAGD spokesman MY Tarigami talking to reporters said that in the white paper the PAGD has also clarified doubts on whether Article 370 can be rolled back, whether Article 35-A can be removed, etc.

“We challenge the Kashmir administration and the BJP government to counter our white paper with its own white paper. We challenge the BJP government on its claims of providing jobs, investment and development,” Tarigami said.

He was speaking at the residence of PAGD’s chief Dr Farooq Abdullah, where all members of the alliance, including Mehboboa Mufti, Muzaffar Shah and Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi were present.

Tarigami rebuffed claims of real estate investment in JK. “What real estate are you talking about? Tell us how many youth from Jammu have got jobs post Article 370 revocation, let alone in Kashmir?” he said.

He said the alliance will invite all MPs of Parliament for a discussion on Article 370 abrogation and will also send copies of its white paper to the President of India.

“This assault (on constitutional rights) has become a poison which can reach Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and other states. We appeal to Indian intelligentsia, civil society, the press and all Indians to understand the pain of Kashmiris,” Tarigami said, adding that it is not just people subscribing to BJP’ ideology who live in India but lakhs of others opposed to it, too.

Tarigami also questioned the manner in which the ongoing exercise of delimitation of assembly constituencies is being done in J&K. He said the PGD is not against delimitation but against the manner in which it is being done.

He reiterated that the PAGD had been steadfast on its stand that the present delimitation exercise was being done under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act which has been challenged in the Indian Supreme Court by a constituent of the alliance.