Shutdown against tinkering with Art 35-A on August 26, 27: JRL

Srinagar: Joint Resistance leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik Friday called for state wide shutdown on August 26 and 27 against tinkering with Article 35-A as the hearing on Article 35-A is scheduled to be held in the week commencing from August 27. JRL also asked the people to continue protest programs against tinkering with Article 35-A till 27 August. The leaders also said that efforts to reach out to all regions and sections of the state on this critical issue from Chenab valley to Kargil will continue.A detailed program will be announced at a press conference by the JRL leaders after 27 August.
In a statements issued here on Friday JRL said that as part of their continued efforts with regard to the course of action to jointly protest and resist the petitions filed in Supreme Court by RSS, BJP backed organisations challenging the 1927 hereditary state subject law of J&K, deliberations and discussion are going on with all segments of society during the course of last few weeks.
The sinister motive behind this move is to change the demographic composition of the disputed state and hence undo both its disputed nature and implementation of Right to Self-determination. Leadership said that they have deliberated with members and representatives of all segments and sections of society including the minority community, the business fraternity, chamber of commerce, civil society, hoteliers, traders, lawyers, academia, education sector, transporters from taxi auto sumo shikara associations and many others.
JRL said that all segments of people unanimously express their serious and urgent concern over this issue which poses a grave threat to the very existence of the people of J&K and their commitment to go to any extent to protect the law and protest this mischief. Expressing their confidence in and support to the leadership, members of all communities said that they were ready to cooperate and work with the leadership in this hour of crisis that has been thrust upon them. Leadership said that they are also in touch with religious and social organisation of the state who are completely with them on this and have assured their full cooperation.
Expressing its gratitude, Leadership said that during these deliberations it was decided that a two day complete protest bandh will be observed across the length and breadth of the state on 26th and 27th of August when the case is coming up for hearing in the supreme court. In case any untoward decision is given by the Supreme Court, a mass statewide agitation will commence therein, the consequences of which will be direct responsibility of the Indian state for instigating people to it.