Expressing disappointment over deferment of hearing on 35-A in Supreme Court, AIP President Er. Rasheed has asked the genuine Kashmiris leadership to introspect and read writing on the wall and find out how New Delhi is successfully trying to change the narrative.While addressing a public gathering at Gazriyal Kupwara today, Er. Rasheed said “Supreme Court should have rejected the plea and closed the chapter once for all but Article 35-A is being used as a tool to politically blackmail Kashmiris. Of course every Kashmiri wants to defend Article 35-A till J&K dispute is permanently resolved but New Delhi has dragged every Kashmiri from Lakhanpor to Karnah in a debate which never should have been there. It is ironic that after sacrificing everything since last 30 years Kashmiris are being forced to cry and defend Article 35-A. The debate should have been UN resolutions but the circumstances mostly created by so called main stream parties have brought situation to a point where even Geelani and Mirwaiz has been compelled to take pledge to protect certain clauses of Indian constitution”.Er. Rasheed said despite having certain serious differences with pro-resistance leadership, we all need to support them but they must introspect their achievements and failures.
They should have incorporated in the constitution of Huriyat that despite not having faith in Indian constitution Kashmiris have to protect 35-A, 370 and other relevant provisions. Seeking answers from anyone is not a crime and every Kashmiri has a right to ask the main stream and pro-resistance leaders about their achievements”. Er. Rasheed accused New Delhi of demoralizing and disgracing Kashmiris.He said “The worth of Kashmiris and their rights can be judged by the fact that Governor while seeking deferment of hearing on 35-A has cited the reason that state Govt. is going to conduct Panchayat and local body elections and it is obvious that New Delhi wants Kashmiris to use like rubber stamps at timing and places of its own choice and then stab them. Er. Rasheed asked NC, PDP and other main stream parties to confess their failure to protect or restore the Autonomy and added that from Late Sheikh Sahab to Mufti Sahab every main stream Kashmiri leader is responsible for the erosion of the autonomy and whatsoever they may say today on Article 35-A has very few takers and it cannot wash their sins.Er. Rasheed added that if main stream parties are sincere let them unite and build a huge pressure on New Delhi which may ease things for pro-resistance leadership also at the end of the day. (PTK)