Multiple protests were staged across the Chenab Valley on Monday in support of Article 35-A, while in most of the areas all the business establishments remained shut, lawyers boycotted work and the residents, led by several political, social and religious leaders, took out rallies. Besides, train service between Banihal and Srinagar was also suspended by the authorities.
BHADERWAH
In Bhaderwah, demanding dismissal of the case in Supreme Court, the workers of National Conference (NC) and members of civil society took out a rally in support of Article 35-A, which confers special status to the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
The protesters assembled at Takia Chowk and held a strong demonstration against attempts of tinkering with the Article 35-A. They also took out a rally, carrying placards and banners that read “Save Article 35-A”, and raised slogans for protection of the Article.
The protest rally, led by district vice-president NC Dr Riyaz Bhadarwahi, started from Takia Chowk and after passing through various markets, including Sadar Bazar, Masjid Mohalla and Dharam Pura, culminated peacefully at Mohalla Sarafan.
During his address, the vice-president said, “It is an attempt by the government to scrap the state subject law of Jammu and Kashmir state, in order to settle outsiders here and change the demography.” He added, “The case filed by the RSS backed organization should be dismissed. The deferment of 2 weeks is just an eyewash and is not acceptable. Any attempt to dilute the state subject law would not be tolerated, deferment or adjournment is a mere eye wash and to keep the sword hanging on our heads.”
“If the central and state governments want Jammu and Kashmir to remain an integral part of India, then instead of igniting the fire, they should seriously fight for the dismissal of the case in the Supreme Court,” Dr Bhadarwahi maintained.
Prominent leaders who spoke and attended the protest rally included Choudhary Shabir Ahmed, district general Secretary, Ali Mohammad Shakhsaz, Mohammad Sharief Batt, Bashir Ahmed Najar and Shiv Kumar.
KISHTWAR
In Kishtwar, a complete shutdown was observed against the abrogation of Article 35-A. The shutdown call, given out by Imam Jamia Masjid Farooq Ahmed Kitchloo and supported by Chenab Valley Traders Association, is scheduled to continue on Tuesday, August 6, as well. All the business establishments and private institutions remained closed, while traffic remained off the roads well.
Besides, members of Kishtwar Bar Association held a protest march, which started from the district court premises and culminated at Bus Stand. The agitating lawyers held placards and raised slogans in favour of the Article.
Several speakers, during their address, warned the government against tinkering with the Article. “We want to make it clear to the central government that any attempt at changing the special status of the state will be strongly resisted,” they maintained. They also appealed to all the people of the state to join hands and fight against the abrogation of the Article.
Earlier, a resolution was passed by the Bar Association, in a meeting held under the chairmanship of general secretary Kuldeep Sharma, wherein they unanimously resolved to abstain from working in support of retaining the Article and in protest against any tinkering with it.
RAMBAN
Normal life remained paralyzed across the district on the call given by Kashmir Valley based leaders against fiddling with Article 35-A. Life came to a grinding halt at Banihal, Gool and Khari due to the shutdown call, which was supported by local trade bodies and social, political and religious leaders and organizations.
Several protest rallies were taken out, in which hundreds people, especially youth, participated and raised slogans in support of the Article. The situation remained peaceful and no untoward incident was reported from any part of the district. Meanwhile, shops and business establishments also remained closed in Banihal, Gool and Khari, whereas some of the shops opened in the late afternoon in Ramban town.
A local district administration officer told Greater Kashmir, “Security forces were deployed at several sensitive places in Banihal and other places of the district, in ordet o maintain law and order.”
DODA
Ahead of the Supreme Court’s hearing on Article 35-A, Doda town observed complete shutdown on Monday, supporting the call given by local Seerat Committee.
Several protests, against tinkering with Article 35-A, were held amid the complete shutdown.
Markets in Doda town and adjoining areas remained closed, while schools, colleges and other commercial establishments remained shut. Besides, traffic remained off the roads.
Among many, one of the protests was led by National Conference under the leadership of former home minister and district president Khalid Najib Suharwardy. Scores of locals and NC workers assembled at Old Bus Stand and held a strong demonstration in support of the Article.
A rally was also taken out, which started from National Conference office and after passing through the main markets, culminated at old Bus Stand.
During his address, Suharwardy said, “Article 35-A is our property and it the prime responsibility of every citizen of Jammu and Kashmir to protect it. No one can withdraw the Article 35-A, and it is fiddled with, we are ready to defend it with our blood.”
He also appealed to the people to unite and out their political differences aside, while looking at the bigger picture and protecting the state’s special status.