Apni Party calls on New Delhi to explore and identify the causes of white-collar radicalisation and address them

Says, the Delhi blast highly condemnable; perpetrators must be punished, but outreaching people, initiating dialogue and winning hearts is most important

JK News Today

Srinagar, November 18: Apni Party on Tuesday voiced deep concern over the recent car blast in New Delhi and the revelation that some well-educated people were involved. The party called the attack horrific and demanded the toughest possible punishment for those responsible. At the same time, the party urged New Delhi to examine the root causes that lead white-collar individuals to join such terror activities. It said these causes must be investigated, understood, and effectively addressed so that radicalisation is prevented and such incidents do not happen again in the future.

According to a press statement issued here, Apni Party shared these views during its working committee meeting held today. The meeting was chaired by Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari at the party office in Sheikh Bagh, Srinagar. This meeting was convened to review major political, social, and economic challenges in J&K, along with other public grievances.

At the beginning of the meeting, the participants observed a two-minute silence to honour the innocent people who lost their lives in the Delhi car blast and in last week’s accidental explosion at the Nowgam police station.

During the meeting, party leaders unanimously passed a resolution condemning the Delhi car blast while urging the central government to begin meaningful public outreach and dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure long-lasting peace and stability in the region.

The resolution passed by the party leadership unanimously in the meeting reads:

1. Apni Party strongly condemns the recent blast near Red Fort in New Delhi. We offer our deepest sympathy to the families who lost their loved ones in this horrific attack. This brutal act of terrorism must be condemned in strongest possible terms by everyone, and those responsible must be punished severely so it becomes a clear example for all.
2. Apni Party expresses deep grief and sorrow over the accidental explosion at the Nowgam Police Station. We share the immense pain of the families of the victims and stand firmly with each one of them. We demand that the government provide adequate compensation to the families of those who lost their lives and to all who were injured in this unfortunate incident. The neighbouring houses damaged by the impact of the blast must also receive proper compensation. Also, an enquiry should be conducted to determine the reasons that led to this devastating explosion.
3. Apni Party is deeply concerned by the reports suggesting the involvement of some well-educated individuals in the Delhi blast. We believe that this growing trend of white-collar involvement in terror activities is extremely worrying and must be stopped at all costs. While dealing with terrorism with a firm and decisive hand is necessary, it is equally important to reach out to people to win their hearts and minds. Apni Party believes that the government must thoroughly investigate and identify the root causes that push educated individuals toward radicalisation and terror involvement, and then address these issues effectively. Firm action is essential to deal with terrorists, but strong outreach is equally important to prevent radicalisation in society.
4. Apni Party believes there is a mistrust between New Delhi and the people of Jammu and Kashmir. This deficit of trust must be addressed, and the gap must be bridged. Such mistrust only creates space for violent activities to grow. Apni Party urges that the commitment made by the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Hon’ble Home Minister to reach out to the people of J&K and start a dialogue must be fulfilled without any further delay.

According to the statement, “during its day-long working committee meeting, the Apni Party leadership also held deliberations on several pressing public issues, especially the rising inflation and unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir. The leadership expressed serious concern over the government’s failure to fulfil its own promises such as the commitment of providing one lakh jobs within six months of assuming power in the region.”

“Referring to the recent by-poll results in Budgam, Apni Party leaders said that if the 2024 election in Jammu and Kashmir was a protest vote, then the Budgam by-election is a clear punishment vote. The people of Budgam—despite all local factors—sent out an unmistakable message. That message is straightforward: people matter. When people are ignored and their choices are disrespected, especially out of arrogance, their anger rises like a tsunami. And when that anger reaches the ballot box, it can bring anyone down,” statement said, adding, “This is evident in the Budgam by-election, which, as stated, is a punishment vote—but not against a particular party or individual candidate. It is a punishment vote against the ruling party, with the other party becoming the default beneficiary. This much is crystal clear.”

“The leaders said that Apni Party recognises and fully respects the people’s verdict. Whether others choose to correct their course or not, we want to place before the people the real situation in Kashmir and what we can all do together to fix it,” it continued.

“The Union Territory (UT) finds itself at a crossroads. It is a very delicate time for Jammu and Kashmir and its people at multiple levels: political, economic, governance-related, and security-related. All these dimensions are interrelated.”

“Despite pledges made to improve governance, the NC has manifestly failed in this regard. By blaming the hybrid governance paradigm in J&K, the NC government is abdicating its responsibilities. Poor governance has had serious economic consequences. None of our potentially strong sectors—handicrafts, horticulture, and tourism—are in good shape. Youth unemployment is rising by the day. Inflation is hurting households. Real wages are stagnant and continue to be eroded by rising prices. There is neither economic growth nor development. Bank credit disbursement, constrained by procedural tightening and the overall state of the economy, is hurting the real economy. The common man is suffering,” the statement said.

It further added, “This economic distress feeds into a fragile security situation, especially after the Pahalgam attacks and the Delhi bombings. This constitutes a bleak scenario which, if allowed to persist, will only harm the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Apni Party will strive to be at the vanguard of the necessary changes required to introduce a results- and outcomes-oriented programme. The elements of this programme are:

1. We shall strive to bring public policy and governance at a level that brings much needed relief and respite to the suffering masses. Our governance paradigm will lie in the primacy of the political over the administrative/ bureaucratic. Our focus and emphasis will be participatory governance. We shall base our public policy and governance on robust outcomes for the people of JK.
2. We shall revive the natural economic sectors of the UT- horticulture, agriculture, tourism and handicrafts. Talking about statehood and other related issues is hollow unless people are empowered economically. This is not to deny the need for statehood for JK. We shall fight for that in tandem. But the sectors that are natural to JK , we will help find and develop markets for our producers , do value addition and improve the productivity and saleability of these. We recognize the importance of tourism to JK. But unfortunately tourism is perception dependent. It will take time to reach peak levels as witnessed prior to Pahalgam attacks. But we shall work tirelessly to promote Kashmir as a destination for tourism.
3. The combined effect of a focus on improving and enhancing government capacity and capability and market oriented reforms will be to create a new paradigm of economic development that is broad based and where every person of JK benefits.
4. Apni Party strongly demands the immediate holding of Panchayat and ULB polls in Jammu and Kashmir. We also demand the regularization of daily wagers and the launch of an employment drive for J&K’s educated youth. Furthermore, Apni Party calls for reforms in the reservation system so that a judicious policy—one that protects merit—can be introduced in Jammu and Kashmir.

“These are a few salient measures that demand focus and attention. We are at a very delicate time of transition. This time of transition needs able, farsighted and dedicated leadership. If this is not forthcoming then gloom and doom awaits us. We, as the leaders of Apni Party will do our best to serve the people of JK in all sincerity and honesty,” the statement concluded.