CPI(M) Leader Calls the Scrapping of Special Status an Assault on People's Rights and Dignity
05/08/2026
Srinagar, August 05 (KIP)-Addressing a press conference, M.Y.Tarigami, leader CPI(M) and MLA said What happened on August 5, 2019, was a systematic assault on the relationship between the Union of India and Jammu and Kashmir? Seven years later, the sweeping crackdown on political activities and democratic expressions continue. Ironically, this is being projected as one of the BJP government’s biggest achievements.
Despite all claims, the fact remains that the rights of the people have been muzzled by downgrading and dividing the historic state and the blatant refusal of restoration of Statehood. Misleading the country by a false propaganda of forced silence remains the essence of the narrative of BJP.
It cannot be ignored that the then leadership of Jammu and Kashmir had decided to go with secular and democratic nation and terms of accession and agreement was reached between our leadership led by Sheikh Mohd.Abdullah and national leadership led by Nehru and Patel. The foundations and bond of that relationship stands broken today.
Seven years ago, today, on August 5, 2019, the people of Jammu and Kashmir woke up to find their identity, their autonomy, and their voice snatched away, stripped from them in Parliament without stakeholder’s voice from Jammu and Kashmir consulted or even heard. August 5 is not an anniversary to be marked with celebration by those in power, it is a black day, one that will be remembered as the day the Constitution of India was subverted to strip a state of its dignity without consulting people.
It was an assault on the trust between the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union of India, an assault on federalism, and an assault on the democratic principle that no government has the right to alter the status of a state without the consent of its people.
The BJP has yet to come to terms with the 2024 popular mandate in Jammu and Kashmir. Despite repeatedly promising the restoration of statehood, it has failed to deliver. Instead, it continues to rely on strong-arm methods to shrink space for dissent and stifle press freedom. Legislature is disempowered. Decisions about the land, the resources, and the future of the people of J&K continue to be taken in Delhi, not in Srinagar or Jammu. This is not democracy, it is disempowerment dressed up as development.
We have been told, again and again, that this was done for peace, for progress, for integration. Seven years later, the people are still waiting for the statehood that was promised on the floor of Parliament itself. Till that promise is honoured, August 5 will remain what it has always been for the people of Jammu and Kashmir: a day of mourning, not celebration, a reminder of rights taken away, and a call to keep fighting until they are restored. We appeal the secular and democratic forces of the country to unitedly support our voice to fight back this authoritarian regime and hope that the big court of the country i.e. people of India will understand our pain and sufferings and help us in the restoration of our legitimate and constitutional rights.