Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader, Prof. Saifuddin Soz on Saturday welcomed the joint statement by Kashmiri mainstream parties after first of its kind meeting at Farooq Abdullah’s residence. Apart from NC, ANC, CPI (M), PC and J&K PDP were part of the meeting to chalk out future strategy in the backdrop of abrogation of article 370 and 35 (A).
“I heartily welcome the joint statement of the Mainstream Political Leadership of Kashmir demanding restoration of Article 370, Article 35-A, J&K Constitution and Statehood of the J&K State. It is a gratifying situation that the Kashmir Mainstream Leadership has realized that the main plank of its struggle has to be the restoration of Article 370 and Article 35-A of the Constitution of India.
My understanding is that the leadership is conscious of the fact that there are other vital issues also such as restoration of statehood, restoration of Domicile Rights etc. which carry the same importance as the ones enunciated above. I feel sad that important political leaders such as Hakim Yaseen and some others have not yet joined the Kashmir Mainstream Leadership for the restoration of democratic and constitutional rights of the people,” Soz said in a statement.
The statement further read, “I would like to make an earnest suggestion to the leadership of the Apni Party to give its support to the Kashmir Mainstream Leadership and be part of the struggle. I do not feel any hesitation to emphasize that the time has come when Kashmir Mainstream Political Leadership should make a collective effort to make the Union feel obliged to change its policy of suppression of democratic and constitutional rights of the people of Kashmir.