Jammu, Nov 7: West Pakistan refugees held a protest march on Thursday in Jammu against the recent resolution passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly calling for the restoration of the erstwhile state’s special status. Led by Labha Ram Gandhi, President of the West Pakistani Refugees Association, hundreds gathered from Jammu and Samba districts, voicing their discontent with the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference (NC) and other valley-based parties.
The protesters claimed that these parties were misleading the people of Kashmir with “fake promises” to restore Article 370, which the Supreme Court recently upheld as permanently abrogated after its 2019 revocation by the Centre. Holding national flags and shouting slogans, the protesters condemned NC leaders and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, declaring that Article 370 “cannot be reinstated.”
Gandhi urged the government to consider implementing Article 371 in J&K, which, like in Himachal Pradesh, could protect local lands and jobs. Yudvir Singh, another protester, accused the NC of targeting Hindu refugees, including West Pakistan refugees, Valmikis, and Gurkhas, while using Article 370 to “mislead the people.”
The protest follows the J&K Assembly’s passage of a resolution on Wednesday, which Deputy Chief Minister Choudhary introduced, urging the Centre to discuss the restoration of J&K’s special status with local representatives. The BJP opposed the resolution, labeling it an unsanctioned addition to the day’s agenda.
West Pakistan Refugees protest against J&K Special Status resolution, demand Article 371 implementation
