Srinagar/Oct, 8:Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Peoples’ Democratic Front (JK PDF) on Sunday welcomed the Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s commitment to restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir but demanded follow up action on the promise alongwith the return of Article 370 and Article 35 A which Yaseen said is the identity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a meeting of his party workers at party’s Srinagar headquarters in Srinagar on Sunday Hakeem said ” Home Minister Amit Shah’s reiteration of commitment to statehood is a welcome stape but immediate fulfillment of the promise on statehood without the restoration of Article 370 and Article 35 A is meaningless and unacceptable”
He said “it is not the case of mere statehood but restoration of Article 370 and Article 35 A is must as special status is the political identity of Jammu and Kashmir once a sovereign state now reduced from the state of the Union of India to a union territory”. Hakeem said restoration of statehood along with restoration of Article 370 and Article 35 A is not a favour to the people of Jammu and Kashmir but their genuine and legitimate right. He reiterated his party’s support to any party, group or individual over any initiative for restoration of statehood, Article 370 and Article 35 A and said question of going back on this promise doesn’t arise at all under any circumstances. Asking Home Minister Amit Shah to return what has been snatched from the people of Jammu and Kashmir last year Hakeem hoped that Home Minister would very soon restore the statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and as well as Article 370 and Article 35 A as it existed till August 4, 2019.