Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s martyrdom for J&K’s complete integration had opened the government’s eyes, but it felt satisfied with mere "erosion" and not the abrogation of Article 370 itself. The present autonomy resolution seeks to undo even that quantum of integration, and take the State back to pre-1953 situation, when Supreme Court had no appellate jurisdiction over the State High Court, when the Central Election Commission had no powers to ensure free and fair elections and the Comptroller and Auditor General had no supervisory authority, nor was the State served by the Indian Administrative Service and such other salutary provisions.

We can imagine the enormity of the autocratic rule of the National Conference, which represented not the will of the whole State, but only a part of it, namely, the Kashmir valley, from the fact that even today, about two lakh voters, who are entitled to vote in an election to the Lok Sabha, cannot vote for the State Assembly. The present resolution, ABKM feels, is only a step short of actual secession. Things would not have come to this pass, had the transitory Article 370 been abrogated in time. But unfortunately, all major political parties, except the BJP, saw it as a symbol of so-called secularism. Are we not reaping the fruit of that ill conceived position?

The ABKM congratulates the people of Ladakh and Jammu, the two regions of the State on their bold stand to condemn the autonomy resolution. It is also gratifying to note that the people of these two regions have risen above all narrow parochial loyalties and considerations and have unambiguously voiced their resolve to demonstrate to the world, that they want their regions to be fully and unconditionally integrated with Bharat. The ABKM hopes that their sentiments as well as their aspirations, both developmental and political, are respected and seriously taken into account by the Central government, while talking to the Hurriyat leaders or discussing extravagant demands of their partner.

The government ought to note that the autonomy resolution is the resolution of a section of the people in the Kashmir valley. Let it also not be oblivious of the fate of lakhs of Hindus, who were hounded out of Kashmir valley or of those unfortunate crore of people who were left to the mercy of the jehadi marauders of our neighbouring country only half a century back. Why a few lakhs Hindus could not live with safety and dignity in a region of 95 per cent Muslims, is a question that the so-called secular parties and the media have to answer. They are rendered refugees even when the State had not that much of autonomy, which it now is aspiring for. The ABKM, therefore, urges upon the government, to ensure that in any discussions with the protagonists of autonomy, which is just a thin veil for azadi, the uprooted Hindus of the Valley are rehabilitated in their home State and involved in deliberations at every level and the political aspirations of the Jammu and Ladakh regions are fully met.