Srinagar, July 29: Joint Hurriyat Leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Yasin Malik on Sunday called for a shutdown in Jammu and Kashmir on August 5 and 6 to register their protest against a “politically-motivated move” to “abrogate Article 35-A”.

The spokesman in a statement said that the leadership trio met at Hyderpora on Sunday.

“The meeting was held to discuss and deliberate regarding the serious challenge posed to Article 35A in Indian Supreme Court,” the spokesman said.

In a series of tweets, Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said the Joint Hurriyat met to deliberate “serious challenge posed to Art 35A”.

“(We) want to make it clear to GOI any and every attempt made at changing the demographic nature of the state will be stiffly resisted. In touch with all segments including legal fraternity, traders, civil society, academia. There is complete unanimity and cohesion among all with regard to resisting & fighting this serious assault together. 5th and 6th of August a complete protest strike will be observed throughout (Jammu and Kashmir), people will register their total disapproval &resistance to this politically motivated move,” said the Mirwaiz in a tweet.

He also warned of an agitation of the Article 35-A, which defines permanent residents of the state, was tinkered with.

“A mass agitation of hitting and occupying streets will be launched if any tinkering with 35A is allowed to take place under a legal garb, the consequences of which will be entirely on those perpetuating such mischievous ploys against people of J&K,” he said.

He also appealed to the people to take part in the agitation against “this assault” in case the leadership was arrested.

“People should to be ready as there is every apprehension of a mass crackdown against leadership and political activists by the ruling dispensation and we may be gagged arrested and jailed, in that case JRL appeals people to be strong & carry forward the agitation against this assault,” he said.

The Joint Hurriyat spokesman the attempt to “change the demography of Jammu and Kashmir and insidiously destroy its disputed nature has always been on the agenda of BJP/RSS and the challenge to 35A in the Indian Supreme Court is a serious part of that plan.”

“Once hereditary state subject laws are done away with it will pave way for settling outsiders in Jammu and Kashmir in hordes. And as part of the BJP/RSS plan Kashmiri’s will become a minority in their own land and that day will not be far when like Palestinians Kashmiri’s will be pushed to the margins of their land and rendered homeless,” the spokesman said.

The Joint Hurriyat, the spokesman added, said that in this connection they have been in touch with all segments of society including the legal fraternity, traders, civil society members, academia and others and there is complete unanimity and cohesion among all with regard to resisting and fighting this serious assault together.