August 5: JK BJP to hoist tricolour in all constituencies, says Ashok Koul

SRINAGAR — To mark the second anniversary of abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, the Jammu and Kashmir unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to hold grand celebrations tomorrow, August 5.

“A programme has been chalked out to mark two years of historic decision taken on August 5, last year,” BJP General Secretary, Ashok Kaul said.

He maintained that a series of programmes and events will be organised as part of the celebrations.

“Abrogation of Article 370 and 35-A has helped in retaining peace in the valley. On August 5 tomorrow, the celebrations will begin with the hoisting of the tricolour in each and every Mandal, booth, Panchayat, municipal ward and district of J&K,” Koul said.

He said that the party has also appealed to the people to unfurl the national flag on their rooftops on August 5.

“At 11, the State president will address the party workers. Virtual rallies will also be held at state and district levels. Later, in the evening ‘deepmala’ will be done and prominent areas, buildings will be illuminated by the party as part of the celebrations. The BJP has also urged the people to light the ‘diyaas’ at their homes in the evening,” Koul said.

Kaul praised security forces for carrying out a huge number of operations during the two years. “It’s the first time after a decade or so that such a huge number of operations were carried out by the security forces against the militants,” he said.

“Most of the operations had witnessed no collateral damage. No stone pelting incidents are reported at encounter sites, when earlier this itself was a big challenge for the security forces to deal with such a crowd,” Koul said.

The BJP held a meeting here on Wednesday, August 4 to review preparations for the celebrations on 5 August.

Sources said that state leadership of BJP has asked BJP activists to adhere to the COVID-19 restrictions ordered by the authorities.

Pertinently, on August 5, President Ram Nath Kovind had signed the Constitution (application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 2019. The order, issued under Article 370(1)(d) of the Constitution paved the way for taking away ‘special status’ granted to Jammu and Kashmir.

Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh came into existence as separate Union Territories on October 31, 2019.