Samba, August 5: On the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, Western Pakistani refugees in Samba celebrated the day as a ‘Freedom Festival’. They expressed that the constitutional changes have granted them equal rights and recognition after a long wait.
The central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, revoked Article 370 on August 5, 2019, thereby ending the special status of Jammu and Kashmir through a presidential order.
Lamba Ram Gandhi, president of the Western Pakistani Refugee Action Committee, stated that August 5, 2019, marked a historic date in their lives, as it helped them gain the rights and identity they had been demanding for decades.
Speaking to a news agency, Gandhi remarked, “August 5, 2019, was like icing on the cake for Western Pakistani refugee families. For the past 75 years, this community has awaited citizenship and equal rights, which became possible after the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A. The significance of August 5 for the entire nation is as profound as that of August 15. Therefore, our community celebrates this day as a festival and will continue this tradition in the future.”
Responding to political parties and leaders who label August 5 as ‘Black Day’, Gandhi said, “Such statements do not reflect the sentiments of the refugee community and are made for political reasons.”
He added, “This may be a personal opinion, but my community does not agree with it. Some political parties, driven by vote bank politics, are misleading people by claiming that Articles 370 and 35A will be restored, even though they know it is impossible. These parties have no other issues left, so they raise this topic to confuse the public.”
Gandhi noted that preparations for this year’s celebrations are complete, and the community plans to observe the occasion with enthusiasm, grandeur, and festive spirit, just as in previous years.
Another member of the Western Pakistani Refugee Action Committee, Ramesh Singh, mentioned that prior to the constitutional changes on August 5, 2019, their community was deprived of many rights and opportunities. He stated, “After the abrogation of Article 370, there is renewed enthusiasm in the community, and employment opportunities have increased. For us, August 5 is no less than a national festival, and we celebrate it with great fervor every year.”
Expressing gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, he thanked both leaders for restoring the rights of the Western Pakistani refugee community.
In response to political parties that observe August 5 as ‘Black Day’, Ramesh Singh emphasized that such statements do not affect the sentiments of the refugee community. He said, “Whether someone calls it Black Day or something else, August 5 is a day of honor and joy for us. Community members will celebrate this occasion with drums and festivities, continuing to observe it as a joyful festival.”
It is noteworthy that Article 370 became a part of the Indian Constitution when it was implemented in 1950. This provision was rendered ineffective on August 5, 2019, and Jammu and Kashmir was reorganized into two separate Union Territories – Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh – thereby ending its previous constitutional status.
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