Yechury demands early hearing on petition challenging defanging of Art 370

SRINAGAR: CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Thursday demanded early hearing in the Supreme Court on the petition challenging nullification of Article 370, saying that it was not only Kashmir Pandits but also Muslims, Sikhs and others too who had suffered in the Valley those days. The Centre had nullified Article 370 and scrapped the special status of J&K on August 5, 2019.

Addressing a news conference at party leader Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami’s residence here, Yechury said a movie titled ‘The Kashmir Files’ has been released with an aim to worsen the situation on the ground.

“People belonging to any religion or sect, including Muslims, Sikhs and Kashmir Pandits, have suffered equally in Kashmir. One fails to understand why the role of the then governor was not highlighted in the movie. His role should have also been highlighted,” he said.

Yechury said that until the aforesaid petition is heard in the apex court, the government should be barred from taking decisions and introducing new laws here.

He also said that the situation across the country has worsened, people have been suffering badly, unemployment is at an all-time high and such is the state of affairs that youths have stopped searching for jobs.

Tarigami, who was with Yechury, told reporters that Kashmir is not a piece of land, but it has a history of 5,000 years.

“The incumbent regime is putting laws aside to take any decision with regard to J&K. There is a need to save democratic institutions and the country as well,” he said, adding that instead of rubbing salt into the wounds of people, there is a need to heal their wounds.