Country: UK

For Immediate release

On Saturday 5th August,2023 the IEKF and the HCUK Commemorated the Fourth Anniversary of the Passage of the “Jammu &Kashmir Reorganization Act,2019’’ by the Indian Parliament on 5-6 August 2019.

IEKF/HCUK welcomed a renowned author and Journalist, Bashir Assad Bhat, from Srinagar, the capital city of the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory. Mr. Bashir Assad had travelled all the way from Kashmir to attend the commemoration of the fourth anniversary of the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A that took place, four years ago, on 5 August 2019. The event was organized by IEKF in association with HCUK at the Brent Indian Association, Community Resource Centre in Wembley.

Many eminent panelists and distinguished participants from the various organizations attended the event. The panelists included Mr. Bob Blackman, Padama Shri, a British Member of Parliament, Lord Rami Ranger, Shri Kuldeep Shekhawat, President of Overseas Friends of BJP, Shri Anil Bhanot OBE, Managing Trustee and Interfaith Director of HCUK, Shri Sushil Pandit, A Political Analyst, Dr Gautam Sen, an Academic and a Political Analyst, Dr Vijay Sajawal, International Coordinator of  , IEKF. Due to the time constraints Dr Ramash Raina’s, President of AIKS, address didn’t take place.

The event was anchored by Drs Chandan Kotwal and Shafalica Bhan Kotwal.

The program began with Krishna Bhan’s welcome and introduction to event. She extended a special welcome to Mr. Bashir Assad Bhat.

The topics for discussion mainly focused on the historic decision of abrogation of Articles 370 & 35A. The challenges and opportunities presented by this decision and the way forward were being highlighted by the speakers. Bashir Assad spoke very eloquently about the post abrogation, the facts, and flaws. Vijay Sazawal discussed the rebirth of a new Kashmir. Gautam Sen enlightened the audience with the historic reality and contemporary significance of Kashmir. Kuldeep Shekhawat focused on positives and spoke about the story of a new Kashmir. Anil Bhanot talked about Article 370 and the Supreme Court Collegium system. Sushil Pandit discussed at length the hopes and hype of the post Article 370

The recording of the addresses by Lord Ranger and Mr. Bob Blackman MP, and the complete speeches by the other speakers will be available from the MATV after it has been collated and edited.

The program was concluded by Chuni Chavda, expressing his thanks and gratitude to the Panelists for their excellent presentations and participants for their attendance.

Our profound gratitude and thanks to the MATV and Naomi Canton for covering this event.

For further information, please contact:

Krishna Bhan @ indoeuropeankashmirforum@gmail.com

Chuni Chavda @chunichavda@hotmail.co.uk