The BJP's commemoration highlighted the changes post-2019, while opposition parties demanded statehood restoration and criticized the central government's policies.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) commemorated the fourth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 by holding a public meeting in Srinagar today. Simultaneously, rival political parties, including Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), organized protests across Jammu and Kashmir, denouncing the move as a "black day."
In a significant move on this day in 2019, the Central government revoked Article 370, which provided special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, and restructured it into two union territories - Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, as reported by PTI.
The BJP's public meeting at Jawahar Nagar saw the participation of several leaders and workers from the party's Jammu and Kashmir unit, led by General Secretary Organization, J-K, Ashok Koul. The event aimed to counter leaders who the party accused of "provoking" people in the name of Article 370, emphasizing that development and progress are the key priorities for the region.
Party spokesperson, Thakur Abhijeet Jasrotia, addressed the crowd, stating, "These leaders are propagating lies, but the common people and the poor want development...Today, people have risen above dynastic politics, and they do not want any Abdullah or Mufti to befool them," in an apparent reference to National Conference (NC) Chief, Farooq Abdullah, and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Supremo, Mehbooba Mufti.
In contrast, Congress members led by J-K Chief, Vikar Rasool Wani, staged a peaceful demonstration outside the party's headquarters at Shaheedi Chowk in Jammu. They demanded the immediate restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, protection of land rights, and 100% reservation for locals in jobs. Wani accused the BJP-led Central government of failing to deliver on its promises and claimed that the region is facing economic distress and inflation, while essential sectors like health and education remain in disarray.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, Manish Sahni, led a separate protest outside the party's office at Channi Himmat in Jammu. He criticized the government's policies, emphasizing the plight of unemployed youth, the impact of narco-terrorism, and the need for the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrant Pandits.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) attempted to stage a protest at the party's headquarters in Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, but the police intervened and prevented them from hitting the streets. The PDP's spokesperson, Varinder Singh Sonu, claimed that the demonstration aimed to draw attention to the restrictions placed on their leadership and the party headquarters.
The BJP spokesperson, Jasrotia, dismissed the PDP's claims, stating, "No one was denied permission, no one has been detained. They do not have any public support, so how could they have held a rally? They have lost ground."
Meanwhile, Lal Singh, the Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan Party (DSSP) president and former minister, labeled the day as the "worst day" for Jammu and Kashmir, accusing the BJP of deceiving the people.
On a positive note, West Pakistani refugees, Gurkhas, and Valmiki Samaj members expressed their jubilation, celebrating the fourth anniversary of Article 370's abrogation. They praised the decision, stating that it granted them Jammu and Kashmir citizenship, which they had awaited for several decades, affording them rights such as voting, land ownership, and access to quality education for their children.