Srinagar: A team of civil society members comprising Advocate G N Shaheen, a senior leader of Kashmir High Court Bar Association (KHBA), Awami National Conference President, Muzaffar Shah and Jagmohan Singh Raina, President Kashmir Sikh Coordination Committee, calling itself “we the People”, called on National Conference President Farooq Abdullah at his Gupkar residence and sought his help in building a broader political consensus on protection of article 35 A.
Farooq Abdullah during the course of discussions reportedly assured not only full support but offered to work for a united fight for protection of article 35 A to the civil society members
From the National Conference, Farooq Abdullah was joined by party General Secretary, Ali Mohammad Sagar and senior leader Mohammad Shafi Uri in the discussions.
Farooq Abdullah during the course of discussion told the civil society members that protecting article 35 A has become an issue of identity for the people of Jammu & Kashmir, as granting property rights to non state subject would change the religious demography in the state and new law would be used to covert majority into minority.
Abdullah pointed out the similarly with how majority was changed into minority in Spain and this could change the fate of the people of all the three regions of the state.
Farooq Abdullah also told the delegation that scrapping article 35 A is a threat to the religious and cultural identities of all the three distinct regions of the state.
Advocate G N Shaheen told the media, “ the meeting was very cordial and rather a big success. We made it a point that united fight against attempts to scrap article 35 A will be above the lines of religion and region and people of all the three regions of the state would come together to continue struggle for protection of article 35 A till the final resolution of Kashmir issue”.
(With inputs from KNS)
