On the day the BharatiyaJanata Party released its election manifesto, reiterating it will abrogate Articles 370 and 35A, Kashmiri politicians dared it to go ahead with the plan, saying it will pave way for “aazadi”.
Addressing an election rally here, National Conferencepresident Farooq Abdullah said the government of India has been saying it willabrogate Article 370.
“Go and do it. The moment you do, it will end J&K’saccession with the Union of India. Let them do it and we will become aazad(free),” said Abdullah.
Then, Abdullah said, nobody will “be left to raise thetricolor in Jammu and Kashmir”.
The NC leader and former chief minister said J&K was aMuslim majority state and nobody can change this reality.
Abdullah said the government of India wants to “changedemography” of the state by abrogating Article 35A, which defines permanentresidents of the state and gives them exclusive rights to purchase property andget jobs.
“Do you think that by abrogating Article 35A you can snatchour rights? You are wrong. Nobody (from outside) can own land and propertyhere…” Abdullah said.
“They (BJP) want to abrogate Article 35A and settlenon-state subjects here and change our numbers and demography. We will fightagainst this design,” he added.
Echoing Abdullah, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidentMehbooba Mufti said the moment BJP government decides to abrogate Article 370,it will “automatically free Jammu and Kashmir from the country”.
He said the Article was a bridge that connects J&K withthe Union of India.
“Once you break that bridge Indian rule will become illegalin Kashmir. It will become an occupational force,” Mehbooba told reporters ather residence.
The PDP chief said the rightwing party has “failed” on allfronts and was now looking for issues that can fetch it votes.
“Jammu and Kashmir is sitting on a powder keg. If BJPdoesn’t stop such statements, the state will go up in flames which will notonly consume entire country but the subcontinent,” said Mehbooba. “I’m warningBJP to stop playing with fire.”