Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 22: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Jammu unit today staged strong protest against the inclusion of non-local voters in the electoral rolls in Jammu and Kashmir.
Led by Harmesh Singh Salathia, additional general secretary, PDP, the party workers assembled in front of Party office Jammu and raised slogans against the J&K Government and Election authorities.
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Talking to reporters, Salathia said that the voting rights to non-locals in J&K is unacceptable as it will simply disenfranchise the subjects of J&K as any number of people from outside J&K can come and exercise their right to franchise here. He said that it is sad fearing imminent rout the BJP is trampling the very basis of democracy through misusing power.
Rashid Malik, another PDP leader, said that after an abrogation of Art 370 from the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir, the Government of India started the process to disempower people of J&K and now they are adding a new chapter to it by giving voting rights to every non local. Even outsiders living temporarily in J&K are being given voting rights which is an attack on the identity and democratic rights of people of J&K, he added.
Rajinder Manhas, State secretary PDP said that one after another attempt is being made to weaken democracy in the J&K and it is the time that entire opposition should stand like a rock to stop the ruling party BJP from devastating the democracy in the region.
Among those who joined the protest include Media Coordinator Ch Parvez Waffa, State secretaries Satpal Charak, E Peter, Bhushan Lal Dogra, Sukhwinder Singh, Ranbir Singh Manga and Sunil Bhat, vice president Women’s Wing Surjeet Kour, Manju Sharma, additional spokesperson Varinder Sonu, along with Harmeet Singh, Kuldeep Sharma.
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