Srinagar, July 16(KNS): Apni Party President, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, on Sunday said, "Jammu and Kashmir is a part of India not because of the country's Army but because of the people of this land, who chose to be associated with it in 1947.
History stands witness to the fact that Kashmiris bravely resisted and pushed back the attackers by using sticks and stones against them." He also said that the prevailing peace and harmony should be credited to the common people rather than the ruling party or the administration, as the people of this land have played a significant role in fostering peace in recent years.
Bukhari made these remarks today while addressing a largely attended workers' convention at Batagund Tral in south Kashmir's Pulwama district, where people thronged to the rally. The party workers and the local youth gave a rousing reception to the party president and his accompanying leaders upon their arrival at the venue, creating an atmosphere of great enthusiasm and support.
Addressing the rally, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari emphasised the fact that Jammu and Kashmir is destined to be with India, and the solution to all the problems will come from New Delhi. He said, " Apni Party is committed to honesty and integrity and will not resort to falsehoods or make empty promises to the people. Therefore, unlike other conventional parties, we do not falsely promise the moon and stars. Instead, we promise that Apni Party, when given the mandate, will ensure the protection of the rights of Jammu and Kashmir people and bring prosperity and development to the region."
He further elaborated on his views and said, " Over the past 75 years, traditional politicians and political parties have misled the people with their deceitful narratives and emotionally charged slogans, such as 'Rai Shumari,' 'Autonomy,' 'Self-rule,' and more. Time has proven all these slogans to be fake and deceptive. The political parties and their leaders used these alluring slogans only to attain power and remain in power."
"Unfortunately, the leaders in whom the people placed their trust repeatedly deceived them for their personal political gains. First, they decided to accede to New Delhi, then after some time, they raised so-called 'Raishumari' slogans, and after 22 years, they took a U-turn again and labelled their own two-decade-long struggle as mere ‘Awaragardi’ (aimless wandering). Then the same party and its leaders tried to befool people in the name of 'autonomy.' They also made people believe that they were for the protection of Article 370. Now, since this article stands abrogated, the same party and its leaders are trying to deceive people by claiming that they will get this abrogation undone. In reality, their sole objective is to attain power by using these deceptive slogans to secure votes from the public," he added.
While talking about the real issues facing the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, "We strongly believe that the solutions to our problems are with New Delhi. We are committed to ensuring that the central government addresses all the issues that are causing hardship for the people here. We are determined to work towards effective resolutions and seek the support and cooperation of the central government in addressing the challenges faced by our region."
Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari appealed to people to stop falling prey to deceptive political narratives and emotional sloganeering by these politicians. He said, "It is your responsibility to tell these political mimickers that enough is enough. You should not trust those who have been deceiving you continuously for decades. You ought to hold these politicians accountable for their actions and words."
He added, "One of these parties misled the people by propagating the concept of so-called self-rule. During the 2014 elections, this party sought votes by assuring the public that it would prevent the BJP from coming into power. However, after the elections, this very party formed an alliance with the BJP to attain political power. Simultaneously, the BJP made promises to its voters, assuring them that it would prevent dynastic political parties from attaining power and put an end to the exploitation of the people by political families. However, following the elections, the BJP itself formed an alliance with one of these very political families. People must understand that they are being fooled by the traditional parties and politicians time and again."
He promised the people in Tral that the Apni Party would ensure equitable development across Jammu and Kashmir once the party got the mandate to serve the people. He said, " Why is it that Tral remains deprived of development? And why don't you have a degree college for girls here in Tral? And why do we not have playgrounds for our youth here? It is only because the people you had chosen earlier had neither the intention nor the will to ensure prosperity and development. They only used fake political promises to allure votes and attain power."
He said Apni Party would focus on peace, prosperity, and development across Jammu and Kashmir. Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari reiterated his demand to the administration for the release of prominent religious leaders, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Moulana Abdul Rasheed Dawoodi, Moulana Mushtaq Ahmad Veeri, and others. He said that, using their vast influence over people, these prominent religious leaders could play an important role in helping eradicate social evils, including drug abuse, in the Valley.
On this occasion, Apni Party's Senior Vice President, Ghulam Hassan Mir, said that Apni Party is dedicated to serving the people in terms of protecting their rights and improving their standard of living. He said, "It pains us to see people grappling with social, economic, and insecurity issues." We have a clear vision and a will to ensure social, economic, and personal security for the people of this land, which has been through a long phase of bloodshed, violence, and destruction."
He added, "The way Apni Party ensured the protection of jobs and land in Jammu and Kashmir post-August 2019, we will continuously strive for the restoration of all the rights that have been snatched from the people here."
On the matter of Article 370, Ghulam Hassan Mir said that Apni Party is for a legal battle for the restoration of this article. He expressed hope that the Supreme Court, which is going to hear pleas in this regard soon, will deliver justice to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Regarding economic support for the J&K people, Ghulam Hassan Mir reiterated Apni Party's promise that it will take a series of initiatives to ensure economic dividends for the people. He said, "We are committed to the people that when our government comes, it will enhance the marriage assistance for women up to one lakh rupees from the existing assistance of Rs. 50,000. Also, widows' and old age pensions will be increased from the existing Rs. 1000 to Rs. 5000 per beneficiary. Additionally, we will provide 500 units of electricity free to consumers in the Valley in the winter and 300 units in the summer. In Jammu, 500 units of electricity would be given free in the summer and 300 units in the winter. Moreover, if we are in government, we will provide four gas cylinders free to every household annually."
On this occasion, other senior party leaders, including General Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir, Chief Coordinator Abdul Majeed Padder, Provincial President Mohammad Ashraf Mir, State Secretary Muntazir Mohiuddin, and others, also addressed the rally.
Besides these leaders, prominent leaders and senior workers from Pulwama who were present at the occasion included District President Pulwama Ghulam Mohammad Mir, Mir Samiullah, Manzoor Ahmad Ganai, Syed Tajjalah Andrabi, Farooq Ahmad Malik, G.N. Lone, Tariq Ahmad Dar, Master Bashir Ahmad, Mohammad Amin Bhat, Manzoor Ahmad, Mohammad Amin Mir, Sandeep Singh, Haji Abass, and others.(KNS).