Opposition National Conference today welcomed the Jammu and Kashmir High Court's observation on conversion of the post of 'Sadri Riyasat' into Governor, and said the genesis of the political turmoil lies in the erosion of the state's special status and internal autonomy.
National Conference spokesperson Junaid Azim Mattu said his party's political struggle seeking restoration of internal autonomy as a viable solution to the Kashmir issue stands vindicated yet again.
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has recently observed that the conversion of the post of 'Sadri Riyasat' into Governor in 1965 was against the state constitution but left it to the state Legislature to decide whether to continue with the existing constitutional arrangement or revert it.
The NC said the conversion of 'Sadri Riyasat' into Governor not only violated the constitutional sanctity of the state's special status but also led to illegitimate, unconstitutional deposition of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah as a popular, elected Prime Minister.
"Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah's replacement by pliant rulers and regimes not only violated the terms of J&K's constitutional arrangement with the rest of the country but also manifested itself as turmoil and discontent at various phases of our history.
"Our party has demanded the restoration of internal autonomy as a stated, official stand with consistence and commitment and we will continue to do so," Mattu said.
The spokesman alleged that Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed played a special role in every constitutional intrigue against Jammu and Kashmir.
"Incidentally of all the pliant characters who played a pivotal role in the erosion of Article 370 and the state's special status, our present Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed played a special role and was part of almost every single constitutional intrigue against J&K and its people," Mattu said.
"While Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah spent more
than two decades of his life in prison for his valiant struggle against tyranny and these constitutional intrigues against the State, there were rulers, regimes and politicians who sold their conscience to the highest bidders to enjoy the spoils of power.
"In doing so they eroded the State's special status and bartered away the dignity of our people for portfolios and power," the NC spokesperson said.
Mattu also welcomed the high court's directives to the state government to hoist the state flag on all official buildings and vehicles of the constitutional authorities, saying this should bring a stop to violations by cabinet ministers who refuse to hoist the state flag on their official vehicles.
While the state government buckled under fear of abandonment by its alliance partner into revoking the circular on the state flag, the high court's directives have come as a ray of hope, he said.
It has become a routine affair that various cabinet ministers do not allow the hoisting of the state flag on their official vehicles and the high court should take cognisance of these incidents and this directive should also serve as a note of caution to one and all, he added.
