DOGRA HERALD BUREAU
Srinagar, Dec 7
Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, on Thursday, asserted that “Jammu and Kashmir is destined to remain an integral part of the country.” He urged the public not to fall prey to “deceptive slogans propagated by traditional political parties.” However, he vowed that “Apni Party would ensure that the people of Jammu and Kashmir receive all the rights they are entitled to according to the constitution of the country.”
Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari made these remarks today while addressing a massive public rally in Bandipora, wherein people, both men and women, thronged to the event, giving a rousing reception to Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari and his accompanying leaders upon their arrival at the rally venue. The attendees, including the party workers and functionaries, passionately chanted slogans in support of the party and its leadership.
Addressing the rally, Apni Party President said that party’s primary agenda is to ensure permanent peace and harmony in Jammu and Kashmir so that people of this region can live and prosper in a peaceful environment.
He said, “Unlike traditional political parties, we do not pursue unattainable goals, nor do we believe in emotional sloganeering. Such practices have inflicted deep harm on the interests of the people, leading to destruction and bloodshed in our land. Over the years, we have already lost lakhs of our youth, and we cannot afford further violence on this soil. The main agenda of Apni Party is to ensure a peaceful environment so that the future of our young generations is secured and people can live in peace and harmony. A lasting peace will eventually pave the way for the prosperity of our people.”
Speaking about the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said that whatever occurred on August 5, 2019, will always haunt the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said, “People can never forget what happened on August 5, 2019. Jammu and Kashmir lost its statehood, and it was bifurcated into two regions. It will haunt us always.”
However, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari cautioned people not to trust the traditional parties who claim that they will get the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A undone. He said, “These parties sought your votes in the 2019 parliamentary elections, promising to protect these articles from being abrogated. You trusted them, gave them a mandate, and sent three of their candidates to parliament. However, even then, they could not save Articles 370 and 35A. They did not even bother to protest against the central government’s move. At the very least, their MPs should have resigned in protest of the revocation of these articles.”
“How can you trust them again when they claim that they will undo the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A?” he asked.
Speaking on the creation of Apni Party, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “Post-August 2019, during the period of deep uncertainty and complete chaos in Jammu and Kashmir, all businesses were closed down, and thousands of people had been put behind bars. Faced with this situation, we found ourselves with only two options: to remain silent, as the traditional political parties and their leaders did, or to come out and stand by the people who were in distress at that time and needed leadership. We chose the latter.”
He added, “We formed the Apni Party and went to meet the leaders of the central government in Delhi. We successfully convinced them that they should not take any actions that could harm the demography of Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, we advocated for the exclusive rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to the land and jobs in the region. Our efforts were fruitful as we persuaded the government in Delhi to issue an official announcement assuring that no demographic changes would occur and the people of Jammu and Kashmir would retain exclusive rights to land and jobs in the region.”
Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari promised that if Apni Party is mandated to form a government in Jammu and Kashmir, it will ensure that the people receive their constitutional rights and ample employment opportunities are created for the youth. Addressing the rally, the chairman of the party’s Parliamentary Affairs committee, Mohammad Dilawar Mir, said that Apni Party will never mislead the people through emotional sloganeering and fake promises.
He said, “Unlike others, we do not subscribe to emotional politics. We are committed to ensuring peace, prosperity, and development in Jammu and Kashmir. Apni Party aims to secure the future for the younger population and future generations. We will not guide our youth towards paths that result in ruined lives, leading to graveyards and jails. Instead, we pledge to ensure lasting peace and enduring prosperity in the region.”
Speaking on the occasion, the party’s Vice President, Usman Majid, urged the people to vote for the Apni Party in the upcoming elections. He said, “Apni Party’s primary focus will be the development of the region, ensuring equitable progress across Jammu and Kashmir.” He added, “If Apni Party secures the mandate, we will usher in an era of unparalleled development in Jammu and Kashmir. We firmly believe that development is the key to prosperity and the economic empowerment of the people.”
The Vice President of the party, Zaffar Iqbal Manhas, addressed the gathering, emphasizing that the people of Jammu and Kashmir cannot overcome their problems unless they rid themselves of the political parties that have held power in the region for years and decades through political and emotional exploitation.
He asserted, “Parties like Congress, NC, and PDP are responsible for the miseries faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
These parties have consistently engaged in political and emotional exploitation to gain and retain power.”
Manhas elaborated and explained, “NC used the religion of Islam against Maharaja Hari Singh and later aligned with him to attain power. After losing power in 1953, the party fueled anti-Indian sentiment through the so-called ‘Raishumari’ movement. However, it conveniently forgot its stance to regain power in 1975. The same party manipulated elections in 1987 to maintain its grip on power. In 1996, this power-hungry party continued its political maneuvers for its own benefits, and it persists in doing so. On the other hand, the Congress party consistently collaborated with the NC to advance their mutual interests —strengthening their family rule. Similarly, in the 2014 elections, PDP deceived the people by promising to keep the BJP away from power in Jammu and Kashmir. Yet, shortly after securing public support, it formed a coalition government with the BJP.”
Manhas urged the people not to allow these traditional parties any further exploitation and manipulation. He said, “You must tell them now that enough is enough. Get rid of these parties and focus on what is necessary to ensure peace, prosperity, and development in Jammu and Kashmir.”
Party General Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir, while addressing the rally, urged people to strengthen Apni Party so that it could implement its people-friendly agenda in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said, “We all know it as a matter of fact that Jammu and Kashmir is in deep trouble, and the people here have been facing a lot of hardships and miseries for quite a long time. Only the Apni Party has the potential and the will to change the scenario for the better, as this party has a large number of experienced leaders in its fold. You must trust Apni Party’s leadership and provide them with a fair opportunity to serve and implement their people-friendly agenda.”
The other prominent party leaders who were present on the occasion included the party’s Additional General Secretary Engineer Hilal Ah Shah, Chief Spokesperson Javid Hassan Baigh, Chief Coordinator and District President Kulgam Abdul Majeed Pader, Senior Leader and Former Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu, District President Kupwara Raja Manzoor, District President Srinagar Noor Mohammad Sheikh, District President Anantnag Abdul Rahim Rather, State Secretary and District President Budgam Muntazir Mohiuddin, Provincial President for the Women’s Wing Dilshada Shaheen, Constituency incharge Sonawari Imtiyaz Parray, State General Secretary for the Party’s ST Wing Khalid Badana, Provincial Secretary Kashmir Syed Najeeb Naqvi, State Convener & District Incharge Ganderbal Haji Parvez, District President Bandipora Shafat Kazmi, Provincial President for the Youth Wing Khalid Rathore, Noor Mohammad Lala, Farooq Ahmad Sonawari, District President Women’s Wing Ms Firdosa Jee, Municipal Chairman Hajin Irshad Ahmad, and others.
