Political Parties Slams NC’s Support for Modi’s 5th August 2019 Illegal Move in IIOJK

The National Conference’s support for the changes imposed in August 2019 has sparked outrage, with political parties and analysts accusing the party of compromising IIOJK’s identity and rights.

In Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the National Conference (NC) government is facing strong criticism for aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on crucial issues, including the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019. The controversy has intensified after a draft proposal from the IIOJK Assembly Secretariat suggested removing references to the territory’s constitution from the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the House.

Political leaders and analysts have condemned the NC for what they see as an unforgivable endorsement of the controversial changes imposed by the Indian government on August 5, 2019. This move is viewed as an attempt to legitimize the unconstitutional actions and prevent any future legal challenges.

Abdul Waheed Para, a legislator from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), along with other political figures, expressed their outrage, warning that the proposed changes would not only validate the August 5 decisions but also block any future opposition to them. Para and others had hoped that the new assembly would pass a resolution rejecting the 2019 changes, but instead, they accuse the NC of betrayal.

Political analysts argue that the NC government, which holds a majority in the committee reviewing the rules, is facilitating the BJP-RSS agenda in IIOJK. Many believe that the NC is now acting as a “rubber stamp” for the Indian government’s policies rather than representing the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Observers have gone as far as calling the NC the “B-team” of the BJP, accusing the party of executing the anti-IIOJK agenda on behalf of the BJP-RSS establishment.

The controversial draft proposal, if passed, would erase references to the IIOJK constitution and permanent residency laws, effectively wiping out Kashmir’s historical identity. Critics have called this a “cruel joke” at the expense of the Kashmiri people, arguing that it undermines their autonomy and rights.

Analysts have also drawn comparisons between the NC’s current role and its past endorsements of Indian government interventions in the region. They believe that the NC’s support for the BJP is a reward for their compliance with Delhi’s directives. Some have even suggested that the 42 seats the NC holds in the IIOJK Assembly are part of this “lottery” granted by the BJP.

Waheed Para also took to social media to express his dismay. He shared a news report quoting a member of the assembly’s rules committee, which stated that the proposed modifications were to align the rules with the constitutional changes of August 5, 2019. Para reacted by asserting that the new assembly business rules mark a shift away from Article 370, effectively recognizing the altered status of IIOJK.

Political parties and civil society groups in the region have vowed to oppose the proposal. They insist that the people of IIOJK will never accept the erasure of their identity and rights, pledging to continue the struggle for their autonomy.