‘Black Day’ Protests in Jammu: Cong, PDP Call for Return of Statehood on Article 370 Anniversary
The Congress and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday observed the fifth anniversary of Article 370 abrogation as a ‘black day’ by holding separate protest rallies here to demand the restoration of statehood and special status for Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Vikar Rasool Wani criticised the BJP-led Centre for failing to curb the rise in terror attacks in the region following the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the state into two union territories.
Wani, dressed in black, led hundreds of Congress workers carrying black flags in a rally here. Chanting slogans against the BJP and in favour of statehood restoration, the protestors sat on a dharna after being stopped by police from proceeding further. Flanked by senior leaders and former ministers Choudhary Lal Singh and Raman Bhalla, and former legislator Ravinder Sharma, Wani said August 5 has become the darkest day in Jammu and Kashmir’s history.
“It is a day when our prosperous, happy state was downgraded into a union territory, its historic statehood and special status snatched, and bifurcated into two UTs. We are marking it as a black day, wearing black clothes and badges to protest against this injustice,” the Congress leader told reporters.
Wani held the BJP and its government responsible for the decision, which he called a “draconian measure”. “For this symbol of injustice to the people of J&K, they are celebrating this day as UT Divas,” he added.
Wani said while the people of J&K were not getting even basic facilities and employment, BJP was celebrating the day for “downgrading the historical Dogra state”.
“BJP should explain what was achieved in five years as J&K has gained number one position in unemployment, unprecedented price rise, smart power meters, water tax, toll tax and record increase in all government fees,” he alleged.
Meanwhile, the PDP also held a protest rally in Gandhinagar here on the fifth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370. Led by party general secretary Amrik Singh and spokesperson Virender Singh, the PDP workers wore black badges and raised anti-BJP slogans, demanding the restoration of the special status and statehood of Jammu and Kashmir.
Police did not allow them to move towards the national highway, prompting them to hold a brief sit-in. “We are observing this day as black day. We held protests against the BJP which destroyed our state. We are demanding restoration of special status of J-K,” Vijender Singh said.
Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) leaders also termed August 5 as ‘black day’ and held protest demonstration led by former minister Gharu Ram, demanding immediate restoration of full statehood. Ashok Sharma, member, Working Committee, DPAP, stated that “August 5 is the darkest day in the history of J&K which has divested the people of J&K of land and job guarantee”.
On August 5, 2019, the Centre revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution and bifurcated it into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, which formalised the division, came into effect on October 31, 2019.
