The Legitimate Online Article 35-A
Srinagar: Senior National Conference leader and Central Secretary Mir Saifullah warned BJP led central Government of dire consequences if any attempt is made to scrap Art 35-A, which is the only relation between Centre and the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
He asked the Indian leaders to go through the pages of history and ascertain the background of the Article, which empowers J&K legislature to define state’s permanent residents and their special rights and privileges that stand added to it through a Presidential order of 1954 with the then J&K Government’s concurrence.
He said J&K joined India through instrument of accession signed by its ruler Hari Singh in October 1947. After J&K’s accession, late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in 1949 negotiated J&K’s political relationship with New Delhi, which led to the inclusion of Article 370 in the Constitution which guarantees special status to J&K, restricting Union’s legislative powers over Defence, Foreign Affairs and Communications.
Mir said BJP and RSS are trying to challenge it now and they will be themselves responsible for putting a question mark on accession of the State with the Union.
“Nobody would be allowed to touch the Article 370. For political mileage historical facts can’t be changed.
The people of Jammu & Kashmir will resist any move by the Center to revoke Article 35-A tooth and nail,” said Mir Saifullah. (KNS)
