SRINAGAR: Asserting that people of state, irrespective of their political beliefs and regional affiliations, are unanimous in protecting Article 35-A, the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society asked government to call a special session of Legislature to discuss measures to build consensus on the issue.
Main opposition National Conference (NC) and other political parties in Kashmir, have already urged the coalition PDP-BJP government to call special session of the Legislature to discuss the issue.
However, the civil society members, including senior lawyers and members of state Bar Association, said that they are not satisfied with affidavit submitted by the state government in the Supreme Court (SC) in response to the PIL, seeking abrogation of Article 35-A.
“The state government is showing lackadaisical attitude in defending the Article 35-A before the SC, which is a cause of concern at all levels. The affidavit submitted by the state government in the SC in response to the PIL, seeking abrogation of Article 35-A, is not satisfactory, but very weak,” Civil Society member Advocate G N Shaheen told reporters during a press conference here today.
He said the special status of the state should be protected till Kashmir issue is resolved in accordance with the aspirations of the people of the state.
“We the people of J&K irrespective of political beliefs, religions, denominations, geographical destinations and ethnic classifications are united in defence of the protection of Article 35-A and Article 370 till the final settlement of Kashmir dispute. We can’t afford the luxury of ignorance and neglect, deceit and deception in scraping the special protections guaranteed in terms of Article 35A ore Article 370,” he added.
“The various sections of the society especially the civil society members are raising their voices in defence of Article 35-A and against its abrogation though public protests, seminars, symposiums in a peaceful and democratic way but the gravity and seriousness with which the matter deserves to be attended at political and legal level is lacking,” he said.
He said delegations of Civil Society members will meet leaders of mainstream political parties, separatists and businessmen in all three regions of the state to united them against attempts being made to abrogate Article 35-A.
“We also want the people to be ready to defend Article 35-A tooth and nail if the need arises,” he added.
Meanwhile, All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina said the minority community, as always, will fight for the protection of Article 35-A alongside with their Muslim, Hindu and Dogra brethrens.
“I don’t understand the need for raising issues like abrogation of Article 35-A when the valley is already going through tough times. The entire Sikh community, be it from Jammu or Kashmir, will fight to protect Article 35-A,” Mr Raina said.
Another Civil Society member Muzaffar Shah said the attempts to abrogate Article 35-A has united people of the state, irrespective of their political beliefs and regional affiliations. “We should thank the people who filed PIL against Article 35-A as it is because of this the people from all three regions, mainstream political parties and separatists have been united to fight a common cause,” Mr Shah said.
“Article 370 and Article 35-A is according a special status and constitutional protections to the state of J&K. Since its inception there has been gradual erosion of the Article 370, and attempts to abrogation of Article 35-A is the last nail in its coffin. The present NDA government is using judiciary to promote its political agenda to the satisfaction of Sang Parivar,” Adv Shaheen said.
He said since the matter is pending before the apex court, therefore it is incumbent upon all to prepare a solid defence and seek dismissal of PIL, seeking abrogation of Article 35-A. “If need arises, we shall ask all concerned expert hands in the constitutional matters and international law,” he added. (UNI)
Comments are closed.