National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah said today that opposition parties and the people would oppose any move to abrogate Article 35A of the Constitution.
He was speaking to reporters here after chairing a meeting of various parties including leaders from the state unit of the Congress, the CPI(M) and several independents.
When it will come to that decision (abrogation of Article 35A), you will see this mass (of people) rising. Do not forget when that Amarnath Yatra (land row) thing happened, people rose overnight. So, 35A will be far greater revolt and I wonder whether they (government) will be able to hold that.
Separatists in Kashmir on Monday also called for a shutdown on 12 August to protest what they termed attempts to abrogate Article 35A of the Constitution and other issues.
They warned the Centre and the state government of a protest agitation if attempts are made to fiddle with Article 35A. If these plans are not stopped, then we will appeal to people to come out and start an agitation, the statement said.
The NC president, who is the member of parliament from Srinagar, said the opposition parties were united on the issue and would make people aware of the fallout if the Article is done away with.
The need was to sit together and discuss the issue of Article 35A because it affects the whole state – Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. So, it is very important that the people understand as to why we are against the abrogation of Article 35A, because it (government) wants to do away with our basic thing.
Article 35A allows the Jammu and Kashmir legislature to define permanent residents of the state.
We have decided that we will take the issue to the people as a united front, Abdullah said.
All parties – whether in Jammu or Kashmir or Ladakh – will try to make people understand that what effect it (abrogation of the Article) will have on the state.
Asked about the course of action by the opposition parties, the NC president said the issue is in the Supreme Court which has not given its decision yet, so the parties would take the issue to the people.
The state subject law should not be eroded at any cost, Abdullah said. He alleged that it was a BJP and RSS conspiracy to erode the special status of the state.
As far as conspiracy is concerned, you all know that the agenda of BJP and RSS is basically to erode the autonomous structure of this state. And we, as a united front, are going to bring this to the people so that they know the fallout.
Abdullah claimed that the state government had not put up a strong representation before the Supreme Court after an NGO had filed a writ petition seeking the striking down of Article 35A in 2014.
Speaking on the occasion, senior CPI(M) leader and Kulgam MLA said MY Tarigami said they had also decided to appeal to the democratic voices of the country.
Please try to understand the dangers ahead and the serious implications it can have if Article 35A is removed. This will be a dangerous move, dangerous for the state and the country as a whole.
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