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What is Gupkar Declaration?
Gupkar Declaration was a joint resolution signed on August 4, 2019, at Gupkar Residence by the major political parties in Jammu and Kashmir to oppose the Centre's decision on abrogation of Article 370 which granted a special status to the erstwhile state (now a Union Territory). Gupkar Residence is the house of National Conference president Farooq Abdullah at Gupkar Road in Srinagar.
Gupkar Declaration is a political movement by parties like National Conference, Indian National Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, Communist Party of India (M), Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference and Awami National Conference. The parties issued a joint statement later on defending Article 370.
What followed the Gupkar Declaration
A day after the joint state statement issued by the political parties of Jammu and Kashmir, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA government revoked the special status of the erstwhile state and bifurcated it into two Union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The Article 35A, which guaranteed specific rights to permanent residents of the former state was also repealed. What followed was a complete lockdown in J&K, with communications within the then state blocked out. Several leaders like ex-chief ministers Omar Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, besides hundreds of their party workers, were placed under house arrest.
Gupkar Declaration II
A year after the abrogation of Article 370, leaders from the six political parties once again met on August 22, 2020, and signed the Gupkar Declaration and resolved to adhere to the 2019 declaration.
"We want the government of India to return to the people of the state the rights they had before August 5, 2019," Farooq Abdullah said on October 15 while announcing the formation of the alliance.
He said it is a constitutional battle to resolve the political problem of Jammu and Kashmir in a peaceful manner through dialogue. "We want the political issue of the state to be resolved as quickly as possible through dialogue in a peaceful manner with all stakeholders involved in this problem."
After the meeting, the official name -- People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration -- was adopted on October 24, 2020. Farooq Abdullah was unanimously elected the alliance chairperson, while Mehbooba Mufti serves as its vice-chairperson. Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami serves as its convenor, Hasnain Masoodi is its coordinator, and Sajjad Gani Lone is its spokesperson.
Objectives of Gupkar Declaration
The objective is to boycott election to the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and restore special status to Jammu and Kashmir. People's Alliance aims to carry out talks politically with all stakeholders, particularly with the separatist leaders. The resolution had parties unanimously agreeing to unify in their efforts to protect and defend the identity, autonomy and special status of Jammu and Kashmir.