Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Nov 5
Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari on Thursday said his party would engage the Government of India to seek protection of the rights of people in Jammu and Kashmir, calling for dialogue to address political uncertainty, public grievances and growing concerns over the future of the region.
Addressing a provincial-level meeting of party leaders and workers at the party headquarters in Srinagar, Bukhari said the prevailing atmosphere of insecurity and uncertainty had left many people struggling to find hope and direction.
He accused the elected government, particularly the ruling National Conference, of failing to provide the relief and reassurance people expected, saying his party had a responsibility to raise public concerns and press for their resolution.
“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 people had increasingly lost faith in traditional political parties because of what he described as unfulfilled promises, political rhetoric and repeated failures to deliver.
He urged Apni Party leaders and workers to strengthen their engagement with the public and provide what he called constructive leadership during a period of political and economic uncertainty.
“Our commitment is to ensure that every individual can live with dignity and self-respect, hold their head high, and see Jammu and Kashmir move forward on the path of development, progress and prosperity,” he said.
Bukhari referred to the political situation following the Centre’s August 5, 2019, decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status and reorganise the erstwhile state into two Union territories.
He said his party had chosen to engage with the Government of India at the time rather than remain a silent spectator, with the stated aim of protecting people’s rights and interests.
He claimed the party had worked to safeguard the exclusive rights of Jammu and Kashmir residents over land and jobs and to prevent demographic changes that could alter the region’s Muslim-majority character.
“Similarly, Apni Party will once again take the initiative to urge the Centre to initiate a meaningful dialogue with the people of J&K, to bridge the prevailing trust deficit and ensure that their genuine concerns and issues are effectively addressed,” he said.
Bukhari said the party would press New Delhi to restore public confidence, protect people’s rights and guide the region towards peace, development and economic stability.
He also called for fair opportunities for people languishing in jails to return to their families and rebuild their lives.
The Apni Party chief said young people should not be denied passports, arguing that such restrictions could limit access to employment, education and livelihood opportunities outside Jammu and Kashmir.
He said unemployment and the lack of meaningful opportunities remained among the region’s most pressing challenges and called for greater efforts to help young people build careers and secure their futures.
Bukhari also accused the National Conference government of depriving people of grassroots democracy by delaying Panchayat and Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections.
He said Apni Party would take necessary measures to press the government to hold the elections without further delay.
Both the National Conference and the BJP were responsible for denying people their democratic and constitutional right to elect local representatives, he alleged, adding that legislators from the two parties had little incentive to ensure that the polls were held.
The meeting reviewed the political situation, public concerns and feedback from party workers across Kashmir.
Those attending included party vice-presidents Javaid Mustafa Mir and Haji Mohammad Syed Akhoon; General Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir; Additional General Secretary Hilal Ahmad Shah; Chief Coordinator and Kulgam District President Abdul Majeed Paddar; Provincial President Kashmir Mohammad Ashraf Mir; Chief Spokesperson Muntazir Mohiudin; Media Adviser Farooq Andrabi; Women’s Wing president Dilshad Shaheen; Youth Wing president Yawar Dilawar Mir; and several provincial and district-level office-bearers from across the Valley.
The participants included representatives from Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Baramulla, Shopian, Anantnag, Kupwara and Bandipora.
