Aug 5 coincided with infringement of human rights of J&K people: Farooq Abdullah

National Conference President Farooq Abdullah addresses during a one-day convention of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled TribesCell at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan, in Jammu

Srinagar, Dec 9: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said the August 5, 2019, decisions of the GoI coincided with a steep rise in the infringement of fundamental rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Human Rights are indispensable and inherent to the dignity of every human being, Abudullah said in his message for International Human Rights Day to be celebrated on December 10.
“August 5, 2019 decisions of GoI have coincided with a steep rise in the infringement of fundamental rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Honor of the people has been compromised and downgraded on every account,” Farooq Abdullah said in his message.
“BJP climbed the political ladder nationally by employing a narrative that Articles 370, 35-A were impeding the job prospects of the youth.
Far from providing jobs to the youth, the incumbent ruling dispensation at the Centre, which is in direct control of J&K’s affairs has shown the door to hundreds of employed youth.
“Our government employees are working under tremendous pressure. The sweeping takeover of labour rights by this government is a major concern for all of us. Disempowering labour and dilution of their rights, is what has become the rule of the day. This trend needs to be arrested,” he said.
Freedom of Press guaranteed by the Constitution, is elusive in Jammu and Kashmir, Farooq Abdullah said.
“Government’s interference and regulation of the media hampers the effective functioning of any democracy. As the fourth pillar of democracy, its independence is crucial for robust governance. New media policy 2020 has also set alarm bells ringing,” he added.
He said that the idea of holistic development of the people of Jammu and Kashmir will remain elusive until their basic democratic rights are not guaranteed and respected.
“Right to freedom of expression, protecting labor laws, democratic rights are the key elements that should be ensured to the people of J&K,” he said. (Agencies)