Firdous Hassan
Srinagar, Aug 02: Amidst growing opposition to the legal challenge against Article 35-A, Kashmiri Pandits on Thursday joined the chorus.
Members of the community led two protest demonstrations staged here by the valley’s business community and pro-resistance leaders.
Sampat Prakash, a trade union leader, said the Pandit community would oppose any “conspiracy hatched to weaken the state’s special status”.
“As a Kashmiri patriot, it is my responsibility to raise voice against the growing threat to our national life. For me, like my fellow Muslim Kashmiris and Dogra brothers, the state subject is a matter of life and death, and fighting for it is as sacred as anything,” he said.
Prakash said the Pandit community has always performed a vital role in defending the Act every time a petition against its validity was filed in the Supreme Court.
“History is witness that the law was initiated in 1884 when Kashmir became a part of the British Empire. This law is the outcome of the struggle of my ancestors like Jia Lal Kilam, Professor Jia Lal Koul, and Jia Lal Jalali, who agitated during Pratab Singh’s regime to protect the state’s special status,” he said.
Part of the protest, KCCI President, Javed Ahmad Tenga, said protest by the pandits would serve as an eye-opener.
“It is message to those who claim that the minorities in Kashmir are not opposing the petition. Pandit brethren had actually called a protest and we wholeheartedly participated in it,” he said.
Another Pandit member, Professor Vishan said the petition was aimed to “dilute the Kashmiri civilisation.”
“It is clear that they will target Article 370 later. So, we have to be strong and remain united to defeat their ill-designs. Kashmiri ethos and civilisation is 5000 years old and known worldwide. We will never allow the evil forces to target our identity,” he said.
Vishan was later joined in the protest by the Chairman Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Muhammad Yasin Malik.
Students and employees also joined the sit-in protest at Pratap Park here.
Eight-member Bar team to appear before SC during hearing
Srinagar, Aug 02:Eight members of Kashmir High Court Bar Association will appear before the Supreme Court during hearing on Article 35 A on August 6.
Secretary Kashmir High Court Bar Association (KHBA) Advocate G N Shaheen, as per Kashmir News Service, said eight members of Kashmir High Court Bar Association including Its President Mian Abdul Quayoom, Zafar Ahmed Shah, Reyaz Jan, Manzoor Ahmad Dar, Mohd Ashraf Bhat and others. He said the Kashmir High Court Bar Association has already filed application of intervention against the petition filed by lesser known NGO ‘We The Citizens’ for abrogation of Article 35 A. (KNS)
