Bandipora, Kashmir, July 19: Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Sunday alleged that the emergence of militancy in Kashmir during the 1990s was a result of election rigging, holding the National Conference (NC) responsible for undermining the democratic process.
Addressing a workers’ convention in Bandipora, Bukhari said repeated electoral manipulation, particularly the 1987 Assembly elections, eroded public trust in democracy and contributed to the rise of militancy in the region.”I still say that if elections had not been rigged, especially in 1987, militancy would not have emerged the way it did. The rigging created leaders of militancy. Democracy was denied to the people from the very beginning,” he said.
Bukhari alleged that democratic institutions in Jammu and Kashmir were weakened over the years through manipulated electoral processes and claimed that governments were formed without reflecting the people’s mandate. He said the National Conference bore responsibility for political developments that, according to him, contributed to unrest in the Valley.
Referring to a recently honoured film based on Article 370, Bukhari said such productions ignored the realities faced by the people of Kashmir and hurt public sentiment.”I am not a film hero; I am an ordinary man who represents the people. Those making such films do not understand the emotions of Kashmiris. Playing with the sensitivities of the people of Kashmir is a dangerous trend,” he said.
The Apni Party president also questioned the National Conference over what he described as its silence following the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory in August 2019.”They have suddenly realised the importance of statehood, Article 370 and political prisoners. Where were they for the last five years? They are going to Delhi today because it suits their politics. They had enough time to address people’s grievances but failed to do so,” he alleged.
Bukhari accused the National Conference of compromising on issues related to Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional and political rights and said the party was now attempting to regain political relevance through protests.
Commenting on the National Conference’s proposed protest at Jantar Mantar, Bukhari said the Apni Party supported all peaceful efforts aimed at restoring constitutional rights but maintained that public issues should not be used for political point-scoring.”I did not attend because there was no consultation, but that does not mean I oppose the demand. We support the restoration of Article 370 and statehood. Washing dirty linen in public only benefits those who do not want peace in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Bukhari also expressed grief over the loss of lives in the cloudburst-hit areas of Rajouri and Poonch. He conveyed condolences to the bereaved families, said he was in touch with the administration, and prayed for the victims. He added that natural disasters were beyond human control and called on people to stand together during such difficult times.
He also urged party workers to remain connected with the public and continue raising issues affecting people across Jammu and Kashmir.