Militancy Was Born Out of Election Rigging, NC Responsible: Altaf Bukhari
Bandipora, July 19, KNT: Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Sunday alleged that the roots of militancy in Kashmir during the 1990s lay in decades of electoral manipulation, particularly the 1987 Assembly elections, asserting that the denial of democratic rights paved the way for armed insurgency in the region.
Addressing a workers’ convention in Bandipora, Bukhari alleged that repeated election rigging shattered public faith in democracy and created conditions that fuelled unrest.
“I still say that if elections had not been rigged, especially in 1987, militancy would not have emerged the way it did. The rigging created leaders of militancy. Democracy was denied to the people from the very beginning,” he said.
He further alleged that successive governments in Jammu and Kashmir were formed through manipulated electoral processes rather than the genuine mandate of the people, holding the National Conference responsible for many of the political developments that, according to him, contributed to the turmoil.
Commenting on a recently honoured film based on Article 370, Bukhari said such productions exploit public emotions instead of reflecting the hardships endured by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“I am not a film hero; I am an ordinary man who represents the people. Those making such films do not understand the emotions of Kashmiris. Playing with the sensitivities of the people of Kashmir is a dangerous trend,” he said.
The Apni Party chief also questioned the National Conference over what he described as its silence following the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019.
“They have suddenly realised the importance of statehood, Article 370 and political prisoners. Where were they for the last five years? They are going to Delhi today because it suits their politics. They had enough time to address people’s grievances but failed to do so,” he alleged.
Referring to the National Conference’s planned protest at Jantar Mantar, Bukhari said his party supports every peaceful initiative aimed at restoring constitutional rights but believes such issues should not be reduced to political point-scoring.
“I did not attend because there was no consultation, but that does not mean I oppose the demand. We support the restoration of Article 370 and statehood. Washing dirty linen in public only benefits those who do not want peace in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Bukhari also expressed grief over the loss of lives in the recent cloudburst and flash flood incidents in Rajouri and Poonch, extending condolences to the bereaved families. He said he had been in touch with the administration and prayed for the victims, adding that natural disasters call for unity and collective support for the affected people.
He urged Apni Party workers to remain connected with the public and continue raising issues concerning the welfare and aspirations of the people across Jammu and Kashmir. [KNT]
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