Samvidhan Samman Yatra makes stop in Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 3: National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), a pan-India civil society group, on Monday asked New Delhi to fulfill the promises it has made to Kashmiris at the time of accession.

Addressing a press conference here, Sandeep Pandey, a peace activist associated with NAPM, said, “We feel Articles 35A and 370 should be properly implemented and the government of India should honour the promises it has made to the people of Kashmir at the time of accession. We support movement of Kashmir; the people of the region have a right to decide their future.”

The group began a ‘Samvidhan Samman Yatra’ on October 2 Dandi, where M K Gandhi had revolted against the colonial Salt Law imposed by the British.

The rallying activists reached Srinagar on December 2 for a four-day visit.

The India-wide yatra aimed at “restoring and protecting the core values of the Constitution and democracy” will conclude on December 10, the International Human Rights Day

He said the “atrocities” committed on the people of Kashmir have “increased since BJP came to power at the centre”.

“Aggressive Hindutva politics has resulted in increased attacks on Dalits, Muslims, Christians, and, especially, on Kashmiris. The glorification of this violence by ministers of BJP government and Hindutva brigade is a matter of concern,” he said.

Calling Kashmir a “tripartite problem”, Sandeep, who has won Magsaysay Award, said a solution should be reached taking the sentiments of Kashmiris into consideration.

India and Pakistan, he said, needed to reinitiate dialogue over Kashmir.

Appreciating Prime Minister Pakistan Imran Khan’s Kartarpur initiative, the group asked New Delhi to cooperate in “de-escalation of militarization of the sub-continent for creation of atmosphere conducive for dialogue”.

Sandeep said “unnecessary meddling” into the affairs of autonomous institutions such as CBI, RBI, and Central Statistical Organization by the BJP was eroding “whatever democracy exists in India”.

“Important authorities like Army Chief and Governor are being political used,” he accused.