Delegation of JK parties should call on Modi to defend article 35-A: Soz

Srinagar: Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Saifuddin Soz on Monday suggested that an all-party delegation of JK parties should call on PM Modi and Home minister to defend Article 35-A.“The mainstream parties have thought it prudent to issue only statements for safeguarding Article 35-A, but have not shown any inclination to move forward for any other pragmatic activity,” said Soz, in a statement today.

“Let the delegation of Mainstream parties call on PM and Home Minister of India and propose that the Govt. of India should take a position before the Supreme Court and assert that the Union wants that the Article 35-A, which confers special safeguards to the people of J&K State in respect of jobs, possession of land and property etc., be protected,” he suggested.

Hailing the people of Jammu and Ladakh for supporting Article 35-A, he said: “The people of Kashmir have shown a unique sense of solidarity on the need to safeguard Article 35-A of the Constitution of India. It is a heartening situation that certain sections of society in Jammu and Ladakh have also realized that Article 35-A cannot be abrogated.”

Soz hit out at the Centre for what he said watching the situation from a distance.

“In my opinion, it is ridiculous for the Central Govt. to watch the situation from a distance and be unmindful of the turmoil that can be caused by any attempt to amend Article 35-A, against the will of the people of J&K State,” he said.