Parties including the National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Congress, and Awami Ittihad Party (AIP) claim that the 2019 decision was made without the approval of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
They contend that the elimination of Article 370 transformed the political and constitutional relationship between Jammu and Kashmir and the Centre.
The PDP, headed by former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, has called for protests throughout Jammu and Kashmir. The party demands the reinstatement of Articles 370 and 35A and the release of political detainees. It has also encouraged supporters to take part in a 15‑minute ‘lights‑out’ blackout.
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The National Conference has announced its own protests, designating August 5 as a ‘Black Day’. Party officials have accused the Centre of making an ‘unconstitutional and unilateral decision’ and stalling the restoration of statehood.
NC Provincial President (Jammu) Rattan Lal Gupta remarked, “August 5, 2019 remains one of the darkest days in the constitutional and democratic history of J&K.”
The Congress has organized demonstrations under the banner “Meri Riyasat, Mera Haq” (My state, my right), primarily advocating for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. Congress leaders emphasize that restoring statehood is critical to safeguarding the democratic rights of the region’s residents.
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The Awami Ittihad Party (AIP), led by MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also referred to as Engineer Rashid, has announced events in Srinagar and New Delhi. The party will commemorate August 5 as ‘Youm-e-Siyah’ or Black Day.
AIP spokesperson Inam Un Nabi stated that Engineer Rashid will don black attire inside Parliament as a form of protest.
Security has been heightened throughout Jammu and Kashmir in anticipation of the planned protests. Additional security forces have been deployed in sensitive regions, particularly in the Kashmir Valley.
On August 5, 2019, the Centre annulled Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370 and split the former state into two Union Territories – Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. This decision was enacted through a Presidential Order and ratified by Parliament.
The BJP has defended the August 5, 2019 decision, asserting that the revocation of Article 370 ended discrimination and integrated Jammu and Kashmir more closely with the rest of India. The Centre has also informed the Supreme Court that Jammu and Kashmir’s Union Territory status is temporary and that statehood will be restored at an appropriate time.
