The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has hit out at the National Conference (NC)-led government’s resolution on Wednesday to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, saying the document does not “oppose or reject” the scrapping of the special status in the first place.
PDP leader Waheed Para said that his party would move an “amendment” in the resolution.
“There was a political message in it and that has been sent but they (the NC) are begging for a ‘dialogue’ to restore special status. They have not even opposed or rejected it… We will move notice for an amendment to the resolution on behalf of the PDP… In point 1 (of the resolution), we want to replace ‘expresses concern’ with ‘opposes the unilateral move’.
”The resolution, which was introduced in the J&K Assembly Wednesday, says: “This Legislative Assembly reaffirms the importance of the special status and constitutional guarantees, which safeguarded the identity, culture and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and expresses concern over its unilateral removal.”
It goes on to add: “Government of India to initiate dialogue with elected representatives” of the Union Territory to work out “constitutional mechanisms for restoring” the provisions of the special status, which were accorded to J&K before Article 370 abrogation in August 2019.It says that the Assembly “reaffirms the importance of the special status and constitutional guarantees, which safeguarded the identity, culture, and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and expresses concern over their unilateral removal”.
The resolution — one of the first decisions taken by the Omar Abdullah Cabinet after it came to power in October — says that “any process for restoration must safeguard both national unity and the legitimate aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir”.Special status which was accorded to J&K through Article 370 had conferred it the power to have a separate constitution, a state flag, and autonomy of internal administration.
On August 5, 2019, the Narendra Modi government announced the abrogation of Article 370 and end of “special status” for the state of Jammu and Kashmir, and subsequently, Parliament used its powers under Article 3 of the Constitution to withdraw statehood and create two Union Territories.In December 2023, in a 5-0 unanimous ruling, the Supreme Court upheld the Centre’s abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution. (The Indian Express)
