Sajad Gani Lone Speaks on Article 370 and Upcoming Elections in Jammu and Kashmir
Sajad Gani Lone, chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference (JKPC), shared his thoughts on the political changes in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. He stated that local politicians have been sidelined and described the reorganization of the state into Union Territories as a form of humiliation.
In an interview, Lone said, “We do not matter. Well, post-2019, no Jammu and Kashmir politician has actually mattered. They have been put on the sidelines. It is a total bureaucracy. There is an administration bereft of any politicians. Remotely, no person elected by the people is anywhere there.”
He also mentioned that politicians are no longer invited to important functions like Republic Day and Independence Day, calling it “political apartheid.” Lone expressed his belief that Article 370 and Article 35A should not have been removed and felt very bad about the state’s reorganization.
“I actually, you know, believe that they should not have removed Article 370. I believe they should not have removed Article 35A. And the worst type of humiliation was relegating one of the most powerful states in India, an economically and politically empowered state in India, to a UT. And I feel very bad about it. As an inhabitant of this erstwhile state of J&K, I feel very bad,” Lone said.
Lone further revealed that his party was the first to challenge the abrogation of Article 370 in the Supreme Court while they were in jail. “I was in jail like all others when Article 370 was abrogated. From the jail, we were the first party to go and file a case in the court; you know, challenge it in the Supreme Court,” he added.
In August 2019, the government of India abrogated Article 370, ending Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and reorganizing it into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The first assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation will be held in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1. There are 90 assembly constituencies, with 7 seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and 9 seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs). According to the Election Commission of India, there are 88.06 lakh eligible voters in Jammu and Kashmir.
Doubts Revealed
Sajad Gani Lone -: Sajad Gani Lone is a politician from Jammu and Kashmir. He is the chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference, a political party in the region.
Article 370 -: Article 370 was a part of the Indian Constitution that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir. It allowed the state to have its own constitution and autonomy over internal matters except defense, communications, and foreign affairs.
Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference -: The Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference is a political party in Jammu and Kashmir. It was founded by Abdul Gani Lone and is currently led by his son, Sajad Gani Lone.
abrogation -: Abrogation means the official ending or cancellation of a law or agreement. In this context, it refers to the Indian government’s decision to revoke Article 370.
Union Territories -: Union Territories are regions in India that are governed directly by the Central Government. Jammu and Kashmir was reorganized into two Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Supreme Court -: The Supreme Court is the highest judicial court in India. It has the authority to make the final decision on legal matters and disputes.
assembly elections -: Assembly elections are elections held to choose representatives for the legislative assembly of a state or Union Territory. These representatives make laws and policies for the region.
