Srinagar, Oct 31 (KNS): CPI(M) leader Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami on Tuesday said that on this day, historic state of J&K was declared as UT and flag removed from Civil Secretariat and asked can this be a celebration or an insult to the people of J&K.

In a statement, issued to KNS, he said that instead of introspection, the BJP government facelessly has declared the day as UT Divas.

He questioned how this can be a celebration when J&K was dismantled and downgraded into two union territories. "In parliament, the BJP government assured the people that statehood would be restored soon."

He said thta after independence, no state was downgraded to a Union Territory, while Union Territories are demanding statehood. "Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance from Ladakh are demanding full-fledged statehood."

He said however, celebrating the day as UT Divas and beating the drums is an insult to the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

"On this day, we register our  protest against the unconstitutional moves of August 5, 2019 which resulted in downgrading  and dismantling the  historic State and thereby disempowering the people," he said. (KNS)