The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) is a political alliance between the several regional political parties in Jammu and Kashmir campaigning for autonomy for the region by restoring special status along with Article 35A of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Farooq Abdullah is the president of the alliance.
Background
On 5 August 2019, the Parliament of India revoked Article 370 of the Constitution of India, the temporary special status of Jammu and Kashmir, thereby ending the limited autonomy the state enjoyed in affairs other than foreign affairs, defence and communication, etc. Further, the state was re-organised and evolved into two new union territories, Jammu and Kashmir in the west and Ladakh in the east.
The Government of India had placed separatist leaders under house arrest and suspended internet services to maintain law and order for civilians and to tackle militancy.
Member parties
Current members
- Jammu & Kashmir National Conference
- Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party
- Communist Party of India (Marxist)
- Jammu and Kashmir Awami National Conference
- Jammu & Kashmir People’s Movement
Former members
- Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference (4 August 2020 – 19 January 2021)
Gupkar declarations
First declaration
On 4 August 2019, the following leaders met at Gupkar Residence:
- Farooq Abdullah (chair)
- Mehbooba Mufti
- Muzaffar Hussain Baig
- Abdul Rehman Veeri
- Sajad Ghani Lone
- Imran Reza Ansari
- Abdul Ghani Vakeel
- Taj Mohiudin
- Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami
- Omar Abdullah
- Mohamad Akbar Lone
- Nasir Aslam Wani
- Shah Faesal
- Ali Mohammad Sagar
- Muzaffar Shah
- Uzair Ronga
- Suhail Bukhari
The first Gupkar Declaration was unanimously passed by all present as a baseline:
It was unanimously resolved:
1. That all the parties would be united in their resolve to protect and defend the identity, autonomy and special status of J&K against all attacks and onslaughts whatsoever.
2. That modification, abrogation of Articles 35A, 370, unconstitutional delimitation or trifurcation of the State would be an aggression against the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
3. That the parties participating in the meeting resolved to seek audience with the President and Prime Minister of India and the leaders of other political parties to apprise them of the current situation and make an appeal to them to safeguard the legitimate interests of the people of the State with regard to the guarantees given to the State by the Constitution of our country.
Second declaration
The second Gupkar Declaration, was signed on 22 August 2020 by seven political parties, including National Conference, People’s Democratic Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference, Awami National Conference, Indian National Congress and Jammu & Kashmir People’s Movement. The signatories once again asserted that they were bound by the status quo of August 4, 2019. The Gupkar declaration and parties would strive for the restoration of Article 370 and Article 35A.
On 17 November 2020, the Indian National Congress denied their involvement with the PAGD. Their Jammu and Kashmir leadership claimed that they may pursue a state-level electoral alliance but denied that they are signatories of the proclamations. The Congress Party also condemned Mehbooba Mufti’s comments on abandoning the Indian Tricolour as well as Farooq Abdullah’s statements asking for foreign interference into India’s internal matters.
Later developments
On 19 January 2021, the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference announced that it was pulling out of the alliance, citing differences with the member parties.
Symbols
The alliance uses the flag of the former State of Jammu and Kashmir as an official symbol.