Jammu & Kashmir’s special status is taking centre stage once again with the opposition National Conference (NC) submitting a resolution on autonomy for the ongoing Assembly session and independent legislators accusing the PDP-BJP alliance of diluting it.
“There is an onslaught on Article 370 in the name of National Food Security Act (NFSA), separate colonies for Pandits, and National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). It has become imperative to preserve Article 370,” NC legislator Ali Muhammad Sagar told The Hindu .
The NC has submitted a resolution where it has sought the House’s support to “impress upon the Government of India to implement the autonomy resolution, which seeks [a return to the] pre-1953 position, as passed in the year 2000.” The resolution passed by the Assembly was subsequently rejected by Parliament.
Governor N.N. Vohra’s speech made to a joint session of the Assembly on Wednesday saw an assurance on the State’s special status.
“The State Government is committed to safeguarding the special status, which has been accorded to J&K in the Constitution of India and has been also spelt out in the ‘Agenda of the Alliance’, which forms the basis of the PDP-BJP coalition Government,” said Mr. Vohra.
Welcoming his remarks, Mr. Sagar, without naming the ruling PDP, said, “If there is seriousness to preserve the State’s autonomy, let’s see who all supports it in the Assembly.”
The NC is trying to corner the ruling PDP on the issue as ruling alliance partner BJP is ideologically opposed to any autonomy to J&K.
Meanwhile, the Governor’s speech was disrupted by slogans raised by the NC, the Congress and an independent legislator, Engineer Rashid, on the issues of the Handwara killings, rolling back NFSA and sacking of BJP Minister Chaudhary Lal Singh for his “1947 remarks.” The Opposition also staged a walkout over these issues.
BJP backs Sainik colonyBJP State chief Sat Sharma on Wednesday reiterated the party’s stand to support separate colonies for soldiers from the State. “Our stand is clear that we want a Sainik colony for soldiers who hold Permanent Resident Certificates,” he said.
