Article 370: extremist groups call for boycott of Independence Day celebrations

Two groups say Article 370 dilution disregards democracy

Guwahati: A vendor displays national flag for sale ahead of Independence Day celebrations, in Guwahati, Saturday, Aug 10, 2019. (PTI Photo) (PTI8_10_2019_000097A)

The dilution of Article 370 and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories have made two extremist groups in the northeastern region come together and give a call to boycott the Independence Day celebrations on August 15.

The two groups are the Coordination Committee, or CorCom, an umbrella organisation of six Manipur-based extremist outfits, and the United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent, which formed the United National Liberation Front of Western South East Asia with several non-Manipuri groups in the region four years ago.

“The outrageous scrapping of Article 370 of the Indian constitution and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir without the consent of the people of the State show India’s arrogance and blatant disregard for democratic principles,” the two groups said in a statement.

“Shutting down of the State machinery and the house arrest of prominent leaders portend the kind of... policies that would be applied to the people of the northeastern region as well. Freedom from India’s colonial yoke is the only way to save ourselves from being swallowed by Hindustan,” the statement said.

‘Enhanced Hinduisation’

The two groups said the political control of India by the BJP has “enhanced the Hinduisation process rapidly”.

The “Modi government is bent upon re-introducing” the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill to forcibly “make the northeastern region a part of the Hindutva empire,” they said.