JAMMU, Aug 31: Welcoming the Centre’s initiative to provide special constitutional safeguards to Ladakh, Shiv Sena (UBT) Jammu & Kashmir president Manish Sahni today appealed to Kashmir’s political parties, social and religious organisations to move beyond the political demand for Article 370 and build consensus on Article 371 to protect land, employment, culture and local rights.
Addressing a programme at the Jammu Press Club, Sahni released an open letter addressed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, Apni Party and other political and social organisations in Kashmir.
“The time has come to move beyond old political slogans and focus on the future of our youth, our land and our cultural identity. Repeating the demand for Article 370 alone cannot guarantee these protections,” Sahni said.
He said if constitutional safeguards can be considered for Ladakh’s land, employment, culture and identity, similar protection should also be considered for Jammu & Kashmir under Article 371.
“Shiv Sena does not want to divide Jammu & Kashmir. We want to keep it united with equal rights, dignity and constitutional protection. But unity is possible only through justice and equality,” Sahni said.
Sahni warned that if Kashmir’s political parties remain focused only on Article 370 while ignoring Jammu’s legitimate rights, Shiv Sena would be compelled to intensify the demand for a separate constitutional and political arrangement for Jammu and restoration of full statehood.
He also invited BJP leaders to support the initiative, saying, “If you support constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, raise your voice for Jammu & Kashmir as well. The time for political rhetoric is over; what is needed is political will.”
Appealing for a united platform, Sahni said, “This is our final effort to keep Jammu & Kashmir united. We want both Jammu and Kashmir to move forward together with equal rights and constitutional protection. If equality is rejected, Jammu will be forced to seek a separate political and constitutional course to safeguard its future.”