Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 13: Veteran journalist and president of We The Citizens, Pushpendra Kulshreshta today said the narrative that Articles 370 and 35A are bridge between India and Jammu Kashmir State is the biggest fraught perpetrated by a section of political class and intelligentsia in India.
“Both the Articles have acted as a China Wall separating J&K from rest of India and feeding separatism in the State,” he said while delivering his speech during a conclave on Articles 370 and 35A, organized by IkkJutt Jammu, here today.
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President of `We The Citizens ‘- an NGO, which has challenged validity of Article 370 and 35A in the Supreme Court of India, was chief guest in the one-day conclave , titled ” Articles 370/35A; Jammu: The Seize Continues”.
Maintaining that Kashmir problem does not lie in J&K but a section of so called secular Indian intelligentsia, which needs to be effectively countered with fact and figures, Pushpendra Kulshreshta also pooh poohed the threats being issued against abrogation of both the controversial Articles. He also expressed his dismay over unprecedented delay by the Supreme Court on validity of Articles 370 and 35A.
Commenting on political situation in India, the veteran journalist said that the country was passing through a period of transition as the people are becoming more aware about the real issues and challenges. “Country changes with change in the society and not with change in power,” he said and stressed that people should continue to press for the issues through different means, including social media.
Javed Ahmed Shah, estranged husband of Mehbooba Mufti and a businessman turned columnist, said abrogation of Article 370 represents the national sentiment of India. “I have failed to understand how it has helped the people of Jammu and Kashmir in becoming a prosperous people with a forward looking agenda,” he said.
Lambasting both National Conference and PDP, Javed Shah said these parties on one hand say that Kashmir is not an issue of giving employment or development but at the same time, they are pressing for elections in the State. “There is no fun of elections if there is no rule of law in the State,” he said and described the families of Abdullahs and Muftis as sure recipes for disaster in J&K because of their politics of opportunism.
“It is unfortunate that those who have practiced dynastic politics in the State have used to protect their control over the power politics in Jammu and Kashmir. The State can become prosperous only by integrating with rest of India without reservations,” he stressed.
Ankur Sharma, Chairman IkkJutt Jammu, said that the abrogation of Article 370/35-A, construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Minority rights to Hindus in 7 States, strong anti-terrorist law and reversal of demographic invasion are all those issues which can wipe off Islamic communalism from the territory of India.
Anil Padha, Spokesperson IkkJutt Jammu, Gopal Goel, who uses the pen name Atul Atmaprakash’Mook’ and Ajay Chrangoo, Chairman Panun Kashmir, also spoke on the occasion.
Prominent citizens and intellectuals were among the jam packed audience to listen to the invited guest during the conclave.
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