- By Vivek Raj
- Mon, 05 Aug 2024 12:44 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Article 370 Abrogation Fifth Anniversary: Jammu and Kashmir is observing the fifth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370. In view of that, Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have been put on high alert. The police have advised a “dry day,” halting the movement of security convoys and Amarnath Yatra pilgrims to prevent any threats. No new batches of pilgrims were allowed to leave the Bhagwati Nagar base camp for Kashmir.
"The yatra has been halted for the day as a precautionary measure. No fresh batch was allowed from Jammu to Kashmir today," an officer told PTI.
BJP's 'Ekatma Mahatsav' Rally
While most political parties in Jammu and Kashmir denounce the reading down of Article 370, the BJP will be holding functions across the union territory to mark the landmark day. The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is organising an ‘Ekatma Mahatsav’ rally to celebrate the 'complete unification' of J&K into the Indian union.
The rally will take place at Bana Singh Stadium in R S Pura, with heightened security to maintain law and order during the event.
House Arrest of Mehbooba Mufti
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti claimed she was placed under house arrest, and her party office was locked amid heightened security. She stated, "I have been placed under house arrest while the PDP office has been locked." The PDP has declared August 5 a “black day” and plans to stage a protest outside its party headquarters.
Opposition Reactions
Opposition parties, including the Congress and the People's Democratic Party (PDP), criticised the BJP over the abrogation of Article 370. J-K Congress chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma accused the BJP of celebrating the downgrading of a historic Dogra state and claimed it had stripped the people of J&K of their rights, dignity, and identity.
"What was achieved in five years, the BJP should answer to the people, especially Dogras, instead of rubbing salts on their wounds," he asked.
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Article 370 Abrogation:
The Centre on August 5, 2019 revoked Article 370 of the Constitution which provided special status to Jammu and Kashmir within the Indian Union. The BJP government also brought the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act that bifurcated the erstwhile state into two union territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir.