“Huge betrayal”: Gupkar Alliance condemns repeal of J&K Land Laws

People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) on Tuesday strongly condemned repeal of J&K Land Laws thereby stripping the Permanent Residents of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh of exclusive right to acquire and hold immovable property in the State — “now unconstitutionally divided into two Union Territories and granting such rights to non State Subjects.”

In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Sajad Lone, the Alliance termed today’s order by Ministry of Home Affairs as a huge betrayal and said that this is a massive assault on the rights of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and grossly unconstitutional.

“The Alliance has vowed to fight the anti Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh measure on all fronts,” the statement added.

“The repeal of Big Estates Abolition Act — first-ever agrarian reform in the subcontinent, is an insult to the sacrifices of thousands of freedom fighters and farmers who fought against an autocratic and oppressive rule and a crude attempt to rewrite history. The order made in exercise of powers under the Reorganisation Act. 2019, it is stated, is yet another brazen violation of the principle of constitutional proprietary of fundamental importance to a constitutional democracy,” he added.

Sajad added that with a serious challenge to the 5th August 2019 decisions before the top Constitutional Court of the Country and the vires of Reorganisation Act under judicial scrutiny, the Central Government is under an obligation to desist from such acts, out of respect for the Apex Court.

“The unconstitutional measure is clearly designed as an attempt to preempt the outcome of the challenge before the Supreme Court. The assault on exclusive property rights apart, changes in urban development laws and creation of Security Zones is bound to prejudicially affect environment and ecosystem in environmentally fragile regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh in utter disregard of grave environmental concerns” he added.