Minister of State in the PMO Jitendra Singh’s remarks that efforts would be made to “convince” the “unconvinced” on the abrogation of Article 370, and the reactions these have triggered from Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the PDP need to be looked at dispassionately. It is worth recalling what Balraj Madhok said on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, telling Sheikh Abdullah: “You wish India should protect your borders, she should build roads in your area, she should supply you foodgrains, and Kashmir should get equal status as India. But Government of India should have only limited powers and Indian people should have no rights in Kashmir. To give consent to this proposal, would be a treacherous thing against the interests of India and I, as the Law Minister of India, will never do it.” What is wrong if we debate the Article?
D. Prabhakara Rao,
Secunderabad
Mr. Jitendra Singh has unnecessarily created controversy. No doubt Jammu & Kashmir should be treated on a par with other States, but there is still lot of time for that. Reasonable opportunity should be given for a full debate across the nation with the people of J&K being taken into confidence. Sensitive issues like Article 370, a uniform civil code and a Ram Mandir can wait for a while. Raking them up will only revive claims that the BJP has a hidden agenda. The issues that need to be tackled now are price rise, the growing unemployment and terrorism.
K.V. Seetharamaiah,
Hassan
Article 370 today is only a shadow of its original self. The time has come to look at the State as being composed of three regions. Jammu and Ladakh deserve better treatment and can be made Union Territories. This will allow welfare schemes to reach the deserving.
Mukul Anand,
New Delhi
J&K will always be an integral part of India. Article 370 has neither served its purpose nor has it contributed to the development of the State. The time has come to review its necessity.
Manish Kulkarni,
Bangalore
