Accession of J&K with India dependent on Art 370: Vakil

Excelsior Correspondent

Former Minister Abdul Gani Vakil addressing public meeting in Sopore on Friday.
Former Minister Abdul Gani Vakil addressing public meeting in Sopore on Friday.

SOPORE, Oct 16: Former Minister Abdul Gani Vakil today said that any direct or indirect move to fiddle with Article 370 will be sternly dealt with at State as well as at National level by secular forces which will leave no stone unturned in defeating evil designs of those who are after abrogation of Article 370.
He said that some forces, which are thinking of weakening or eroding this Article, are inimical to peace in the State. The accession of Jammu and Kashmir with Union of India is dependent on Article 370 as it has become a vital bridge between India and J&K, Vakil said.
Addressing a public gathering at Nowpora Kalan in Sopore today,  Mr Vakil said that nation should vehemently fight BJP’s imprudent abrogation move for the sake of maintaining and upholding the national integrity and in this behalf onus lies on every nation lover to discourage parties like BJP. He alleged that in the past RSS cadre tried its best to remain in headlines for controversial moves in J&K but due to lack of political space for communal forces here, they miserably failed to do any untoward.
“It is  surprising that those who supported Modi to become PM are now expressing their regret. Not only the common man but the intellectuals are feeling frightened and choked.  Credit here goes to PDP leadership for facilitating RSS to strengthen its foothold in J&K State.  PDP’s cry to strengthen and protecting Article 370 has certainly proved a hollow slogan because under its nose RSS backed people filed a petition in Supreme Court to get the Article 370 eroded indirectly,” Vakil added.
He said that on the one hand PDP is claiming to defend Article 370 at any cost but on the other hand its alliance partner BJP is fighting tooth and nail to dilute it.  He said that PDP must clear its stand on all such contentious issues.
Ghulam Nabi Shah from Baramulla, GM Dar (SSP Retd) and Master Sheikh Ghulam Mohd from Kupwara also addressed the gathering.