Jammu, 09 October (H.S.): National Conference (NC) additional general secretary and former minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra launched a sharp attack against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of usurping the constitutional and democratic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir by unilaterally altering the region’s political position.

Addressing a meeting of party workers organized by Advocate Ashwani Kumar Bhagat and Lal Singh at Vikas Colony, Ward Number 59 in Jammu North Assembly Constituency, Sadhotra asserted that the decisions taken by the BJP-led Central Government in August 2019 deprived citizens of their historic safeguards. He noted that the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35-A fundamentally downgraded the region into a Union Territory, stripping away rights that had evolved over decades.

Highlighting the historical background of State Subject laws introduced by Maharaja Hari Singh, the NC leader recalled that these protections were meant to safeguard land, employment, and demographic interests across all regions, irrespective of religion or caste. He emphasized that these rights were part of the original constitutional arrangement under which J&K joined India, rather than gifts from any government.

Criticizing the current governing framework, Sadhotra stated that while the region has an elected popular government, it operates under dual control, keeping substantial administrative powers outside the elected administration. Calling the delay in restoring full statehood a breach of repeated promises, he emphasized that statehood is a democratic right, not a concession. He added that the region’s diversity demands a political approach based on dialogue and democratic institutions rather than confrontation.

Other prominent leaders who spoke at the event included Ayesha Gupta, Incharge Women Wing of Jammu North Assembly Constituency, Sandeep Singh Manhas, Incharge 14 Municipal Wards of Jammu North Assembly Constituency, Vishawjeet Singh Samyal, Renu Kumari, and Balbir.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar