J&K-based Apni Party Dissolves Frontal Organizations

On 27 Jun, Jammu & Kashmir (J&K)-based, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari-led Apni Party announced the dissolution of all Kashmir province frontal organizations with immediate effect. The development is largely attributed to the Apni Party’s debacle in recently held general elections. The party could not even win minimum votes and forfeited its security deposit in all seats. The order copy reads: ‘It is hereby ordered that all frontal organizations of Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (Kashmir province), including the Youth Wing, Women Wing and Scheduled Tribe Wing, are dissolved with immediate effect.’ The election results are also a setback to the J&K Sikh community, whose members have not been part of the two mainstream parties National Conference and People’s Democratic Party, and joined the Apni Party when it came into existence in 2020. In the past, the Apni Party has supported recognizing Panjabi language as one of the official languages in the state. Apni Party’s provincial president of Jammu, Manjit Singh, has been demanding political reservation for Sikhs in the J&K legislative assembly. Meanwhile, the J&K administration has appointed Rajiv Singh, Professor and Head of the Division of Veterinary Medicine at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, as a member of the J&K Public Service Commission (JKPSC). This appointment addresses the absence of a Sikh member in the JKPSC for over five years. The Sikh Coordination Committee has urged the govt. of India and the administration to address the following demands of the Sikh community: control of Gurdwara properties, implementation of minority benefits, regularization of refugee settlements, inclusion in Pahari ethnic group, and recognition of Panjabi language and reservation for representation in the legislative assembly.