Kashmir's Future: A Path Forward, Not Backward

The recent statement by Kashmir's chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, urging political parties to unite for the restoration of Article 370, has sparked a strong reaction from the Jammu and Kashmir unit of the BJP. The party's spokesperson, Altaf Thakur, has hit out at Farooq's statement, claiming that it is an attempt to provoke the public and disrupt the peaceful atmosphere that has emerged in the valley after years of violence.

Thakur emphasized that Parliament took a historic constitutional decision on August 5, 2019, and the Supreme Court subsequently upheld the abrogation of Article 370. He warned that calls to revive Article 370 risk dragging Kashmir back into the politics of the past, and that such statements will never be allowed. The nation has paid a heavy price for peace in Kashmir, and the sacrifices of security forces and civilians cannot be undermined or challenged through politically motivated statements.

Thakur noted that Kashmir has experienced enough bloodshed, shutdowns, and disruption, and that the people should not be pushed into another cycle of instability. He emphasized that the nation will not allow Kashmir to be dragged back into the past, and that the people of Kashmir want education, employment, and opportunities, not shutdown calendars and violence. The BJP will ensure that Kashmir moves forward, not backward.

The BJP spokesperson also clarified that there is a clear distinction between statehood and Article 370. While the party has made its position clear that statehood will be restored at an appropriate time, there is absolutely no question of bringing back Article 370. Those spreading confusion on this issue should stop misleading the people, Thakur said.

The BJP's stance on Article 370 is clear: it is not coming back. Parliament has buried Article 370 forever, and no political party, leader, or pressure group can reverse that constitutional reality. The nation will not allow Kashmir to be dragged back into the past, and the people of Kashmir want to move forward, not backward.

In conclusion, the BJP's reaction to Mirwaiz Umar Farooq's statement is a clear indication of the party's commitment to ensuring that Kashmir moves forward, not backward. The nation has paid a heavy price for peace in Kashmir, and the sacrifices of security forces and civilians cannot be undermined or challenged through politically motivated statements. The people of Kashmir want education, employment, and opportunities, not shutdown calendars and violence. The BJP will ensure that Kashmir's future is bright, and that the state will continue to move forward, not backward.