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- August 5 as a legal and constitutional assault on federalism: Advocate Irfan Hafeez Lone
SOPORE: A day-long convention of the Indian National Congress was held at Adipur Sopore in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district, where senior Congress leaders, including G. M. Saroori, Haji Abdul Rashid Dar, Advocate Irfan Hafeez Lone (MLA Wagoora-Kreeri), Channi Singh strongly condemned the abrogation of Article 370, calling August 5 a “Black Day” for Jammu and Kashmir.
The convention was organised by senior Congress leader and former minister Haji Abdul Rashid Dar, and witnessed participation from District Congress President Baramulla and senior leaders including Mir Iqbal, Abdul Gani Khan, Fayaz Ahmed Mir, Ravees Ahmed, as well as hundreds of party workers.
Addressing the convention as the keynote speaker, senior Congress leader and former minister G. M. Saroori said, “August 5, 2019, will always remain a black day in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP-led central government unilaterally revoked Article 370 and bifurcated the state without the consent of its people. This act was unconstitutional, undemocratic and a betrayal of the promises made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Saroori added that the abrogation had led to disempowerment, political alienation, and economic slowdown in the region. “We had a state with its own identity, rights, and constitution. That was snatched away in a single stroke. Our slogan today is ‘’Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq’’ we demand restoration of full statehood and constitutional guarantees,” he said and also criticised the silence of democratic institutions and appealed to civil society and political parties to raise a collective voice for the restoration of democratic rights.
Congress leaders Haji Abdul Rashid and Channi Singh in his address emphasised the need for unity across regions and religions to safeguard democratic values. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir must come together beyond party lines to challenge the politics of division and denial,” they said.
MLA Wagoora-Kreeri and noted advocate Irfan Hafeez Lone also spoke during the convention and termed the move of August 5 as a legal and constitutional assault on federalism. “The matter is sub judice in the Supreme Court, but the delay in justice is only adding to public frustration. We must educate the youth and masses about their constitutional rights and fight the battle both legally and politically,” he asserted.
The convention witnessed significant grassroots participation. Party workers raised slogans demanding restoration of statehood and resumption of democratic processes. District Congress President Baramulla and other senior leaders, including Mir Iqbal, Abdul Gani Khan, Fayaz Ahmed Mir, and Ravees Ahmed, also addressed the gathering and reaffirmed the Congress party’s commitment to the people of Kashmir.
The convention concluded with a resolution to organise protest meetings and awareness programmes across Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, marking it as a Black Day against the abrogation of Article 370 and downgrading of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory.
