Says time demands united efforts to safeguard legitimate interests of people
Srinagar, Mar 10 : Taking serious note of unabated moves to wipe-out the legacy of ‘Quit Kashmir Movement’ and its leadership, CPI (M) senior leader and former Kulgam legislator, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami Monday said “it is a brazen attack on the history of Jammu and Kashmir and to undermine the contribution of the leadership headed by Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah who preferred secular India over Pakistan by rejecting the two nation theory.”
In a statement issued to wire service—Tarigami said, “Sher-e-Kashmir is not just a title but a glorious chapter of history in Jammu and Kashmir. We might have difference with Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah but that doesn’t mean we should undermine his and his colleagues historic role which they played right from their advent on the political scene.”
He said the contribution of the Quit Kashmir Movement led by him for the upliftment of the people and revolutionary changes in agrarian sector and education laid the foundation of ‘Naya Kashmir’ which unfortunately is under attack since BJP came to power at the centre, especially after August 5 last year.
“The BJP is known to have a grudge against that movement and want to rewrite the history but it is not easy to erase the historic contribution of our people and the leadership,” he said.
He said dropping the public holiday on 13th July, the Martyrs Day and on the birth anniversary of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah followed by removing the title of Sher-e-Kashmir from State award and police medal and now renaming Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre as Kashmir International Convention Centre exposes the dubious stand of the BJP time and again. “BJP can welcome with open arms anybody when it feels its need but will not hesitate in punishing him/her, when it opposes their disastrous policies,” he said.
Tarigami added that the slapping of PSA against three former Chief Ministers who all worked with BJP for some time is an eye opener for anyone who is lured by the saffron party.
“What happened on August 5 last year is a historic blunder and a unprecedented assault on the basic structure of our republican constitution. Right thinking people, groups and parties including CPI (M) have challenged the revocation of special status under Article 370 and Article 35A and downgrading of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories in the Apex Court. It remains a duty for all secular democratic forces to raise their voice at every level against this unconstitutional Act. We must unitedly demand restoration of whatever has been snatched from our people including the constitution of Jammu & Kashmir,” he said.
“We cannot look at the emerging situation in isolation. That will only amount to playing in the hands of those working behind the scene and aiming at disrupting our unity. The time demands all of us to stand together at this crucial juncture of our history and safeguard the interests of our people,” he added.
