Article 35-A: Shutdown call for August 29 postponed; Protest programme withdrawn
Srinagar
The Joint Resistance Leadership on Friday withdrew the protest programme and August 29 shutdown call in view of deferment by the Supreme Court of hearing of petitions calling for scrapping of Article 35-A.
Hurriyat (M) chief and chief cleric of Kashmir, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq made the announcement during his weekly address at the Jamia Masjid here today.
Earlier in the day, the apex court agreed to hear after Diwali pleas challenging Article 35 A, relating to special rights and privileges of permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
A bench headed by Justice J S Khehar accepted the plea of the Jammu and Kashmir state government that the pleas challenging Article 35 A be heard after Diwali.
On Wednesday, the joint separatist leadership announced a protest calendar against ‘attempts’ at abrogating the related constitutional provisions.
The joint leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik said the issue (of state subject laws) is a “matter of life and death” for people of J&K.
“This issue is directly related to our right of self-determination and therefore we all need to fight for it with unity and steadfastness. This is a matter of life and death for us and we will spill our blood to safeguard it,” the joint statement read. neighbouring states, it has been decided to suspend rail services for the day.”
