SRINAGAR 05 Aug : Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet Minister and National Conference leader Sakina Itoo on Wednesday said her party remains opposed to the abrogation of Article 370, describing August 5 as an “unfortunate day” for Jammu and Kashmir and asserting that the National Conference would continue to protest peacefully.
Speaking on the eve of the seventh anniversary of the Centre’s August 5, 2019 decisions, Itoo said the National Conference considers the removal of Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status unconstitutional and would oppose it through peaceful means.
“National Conference is totally against abrogation of Article 370 because it was removed unconstitutionally. We will protest peacefully,” Itoo said.
She said August 5 marked a significant loss of what she described as Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional guarantees and protections.
“For us, August 5 is an unfortunate day. On this day, all our guarantees, our rights, the protections over our land, the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir, our special status, and our employment-related rights were taken away from us,” she said.
Itoo’s remarks came as Jammu and Kashmir approached the seventh anniversary of the August 5, 2019 constitutional changes, when the Centre revoked the erstwhile state’s special status under Article 370 and reorganised the state into the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The National Conference has consistently opposed the 2019 decisions and has sought restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and statehood. The party has also maintained that the constitutional changes were made without the consent of the people of the erstwhile state.
The Supreme Court, however, upheld the Centre’s decision to abrogate Article 370 in its December 2023 judgment and directed that elections to the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly be held by September 30, 2024. The court also directed that statehood be restored to Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest.
Jammu and Kashmir was subsequently restored to an elected government after Assembly elections in 2024, with the National Conference emerging as the single-largest party and forming the government under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The issue of restoration of statehood remains a major political demand in Jammu and Kashmir, with the National Conference government and other political parties repeatedly seeking its return.
Authorities have meanwhile tightened security arrangements across Jammu and Kashmir ahead of August 5 and have refused permission for political parties and organisations to hold protest demonstrations anywhere in the Union Territory on the anniversary.
The restrictions come amid heightened security preparations for the anniversary, with authorities maintaining close surveillance and security measures across sensitive areas.
Itoo’s statement comes against this backdrop, with the National Conference reiterating its opposition to the 2019 changes while indicating that its protest would remain peaceful.
