Article 370 was a special privilege of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir which granted special autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir, allowing it to have its own constitution and internal governance. It was unilaterally abrogated by the Center in 2019 led by the BJP.
Seeking the restoration of statehood for Jammu & Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the abrogation of Article 370 was the biggest policy mistake made by the Indian government. When asked about such an error the government could make in Kashmir in the next decade, “You have already made it, in 2019,” he said.
Mr. Abdullah reflected on the geostrategic significance of Jammu & Kashmir, the perception about the Muslim youth of the valley, the impact of the West Asia conflict on the Union Territory, and the complex issues affecting it. He spoke about the connection the Central government had drawn between development and abrogation of Article 370, stating that the two were not related. While expressing his opinion on ‘One Nation, One Election’, he said that it was realistically difficult to make it work in a diverse country like India.
“The clauses in Article 370 were never a cause of lack of development in Jammu & Kashmir. It has suffered due to 30-35 years of violence. The fact that J&K was perceived as an unsafe place, is what we paid the price of,” he said, adding that there are several other States in the country where different rules are applicable at the regional level. “The BJP had said that we can’t have two different systems in the same country. That was the stick used to beat us. But there are other places where you can’t buy land, or face other restrictions. It is a part of politics of the BJP. And we are suffering because of it,” he said.
Questioning the BJP over the alleged commitment of the Prime Minister, termed as ‘Modi ka wada’, he sought statehood for Jammu & Kashmir. He wanted the Union government to clarify the parameters on which it will take the decision and a stipulated timeframe for it. “It was a commitment that delimitation will be followed by election, and that statehood will follow. But it is nowhere to be seen. We don’t know when the appropriate time will be. How are we supposed to gauge the appropriate time,” he asked, hitting out at the Central government.
NC calls for Delhi Chalo
The National Conference has decided to hold a protest demonstration in the national capital on the first day of the monsoon session, seeking the restoration of statehood and J&K’s “constitutional guarantees.”
The party chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said: “The NC has decided that on the first day of the monsoon session, the NC legislative party will travel to Delhi and protest for our demands that include restoration of statehood and our constitutional guarantees.” Sadiq said that the leadership of the party feels that this is the right time to take these issues to Delhi and “secure what has been snatched from us”.
