Jammu: Abrogation of Article 35-A is in the interest and welfare of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, said speakers at a seminar organised here. The seminar was organised by the Jammu Citizens Forum—an amalgam of civil society, intellectuals, retired doctors, academicians, advocates, journalists and Jammu based political leaders.
”Article 35-A encourages alienation, deepens the concept of a separate identity and creates a political gap between the state and the rest of India,’’ speakers said in the seminar. They demanded abrogation of the Article in one voice, asserting, ”Article 35-A of the Indian Constitution empowers the Jammu and Kashmir government to define “permanent residents” of the state and allow only state subjects to settle down and buy property in the state, which is unfortunate.’’
The speakers expressed their views during the seminar held under the title, ‘Article 35-A: Boon or Curse for Jammu’. Quoting the famous couplets, ‘Eh Jabr Bhi Dekha Hai Taareekh Ki Nazron Ne, Lamhon Ne Khata Ki Thi Sadiyon Ne Sazaa Payee’, academician and former Head of the Department of Law Department, University of Jammu, Prof K L Bhatia, said, ”I really feet hurt when see the people of Jammu, who are the nationalist forces, are not getting their due share because of such laws imposed in the state.’’ ”Article 35-A can never be a boon for the state particularly to the people of Jammu and it should be scrapped,’’ said Prof Bhatia. Pertinent to mention here that recently the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti warned against tinkering with Article 35-A saying that there would not be anybody to hoist the Tricolour in Kashmir in that eventuality. Prof Bhatia also lambasted the BJP, which is in alliance with the PDP headed government in the state in Jammu and Kashmir.
”The Agenda of Alliance agreed between PDP and the BJP had cleared that the Article will stay in the state despite the fact that it’s abrogation from the state was one of the core issues of the saffron brigade before joining hands with the PDP,’’ he rued. However, BJP on the other hand had claimed that Article 35-A has done more harm to the state than any other provision of law. President Bar Association of Jammu, B S Slathia in his address also sought scrapping of Article 35-A from the state and said, ”how a law, which does not allow our daughters to be citizens of the state after their marriage outside the state can be acceptable.’’ ”It has to go. Jammu and Kashmir is very much an integral part of the country and any law or article, which differs us from the rest of India, should be abrogated,’’ he asserted. Former Director Department of Information K B Jandyal and academician Day Sagar, the key speakers in the seminar, threw a detailed light on Article 35-A. The speakers however, said that it is just a beginning and the fight seeking its abrogation will remain continue unless reaches to a logical conclusion.
