Srinagar, Feb 4: Jammu and Kashmir Assembly member Aga Muntazir on Wednesday said the legislature, though formally disempowered, remains the last agency for the people to reclaim their rights, identity, and political space, urging members to focus on collective solutions rather than partisan interruptions.
Addressing the third day of the Budget Session, Muntazir said the people of Jammu and Kashmir are seeking self-respect and a government that understands their aspirations. He stressed that the Assembly’s importance lies in its legitimacy as a forum where elected representatives can raise local concerns and work toward relief for citizens across Kashmir, Pir Panjal, Chenab Valley, and Jammu.
Criticising the current government’s manifesto, Muntazir said it lacked concrete political, economic, or social commitments. He questioned the administration’s response to issues such as electricity, political prisoners, and the Public Safety Act (PSA), and noted that promised dialogue on matters including Article 370 and statehood had not materialised.
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He also highlighted concerns over religious profiling, privacy violations of clergy, and the need to address citizen grievances within the Assembly rather than leaving them unaddressed. Muntazir urged members to focus on legislative work and avoid partisan disruptions, calling for flexible use of the Assembly to restore rights and protections lost since August 5, 2019.
Muntazir concluded by appealing for time and cooperation in the House to convey the aspirations of the people, reiterating that the Assembly remains a crucial platform for political restoration, economic security, and social justice in Jammu and Kashmir.