Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, Jan 25 : Former State Information Commissioner and retd. Professor and Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Jammu, Prof. S. K. Sharma delivered a special lecture on the Constitution of Jammu amd Kashmir in a one week workshop on the ‘Constitution of India’ being organized by School of Philosophy and Culture, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra.
Prof. Sudhir K. Jain, Vice Chancellor of SMVDU presided over the lecture.
Prof. Sharma briefly covering the history of formation of the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, highlighted the main features and the crux of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution and dispelled a number of confusions about it. Initially, when the instrument of accessioning was signed by the then Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, only three subjects were acceded to Govt. of India: defense, external affairs and communication and in due course of history now 260 Articles of Indian Constitution are extended to J&K.
He elucidated how Article 370 states that center can make laws in consultation with the State Government of J&K on all other matters excepting for the subjects acceded by the State. Article 370 speaks of setting of Constituent Assembly of J&K. In this light, J&K Constituent Assembly met in 1952 and ratified the Instrument of Accessioning and mainly took four major decisions: repealing of monarchy, abolition of land lordship without any compensation, adoption of a State Flag and that the State will be the integral part of India.
Prof. Sharma also discussed in great details the Constitutional Application Order of 1954 and how Part II of Indian Constitution was extended to J&K. He took up a number of current issues with regard to the Article 370, such as present political controversies, the matter of permanent resident-ship which is popularly and mistakenly read as state-subject; special status, major amendments of J&K constitution, role of Governor and President of India etc.
Prof. S. K. Jain summed up the lecture by offering valuable remarks and with a call for relooking into the matter of permanent resident-ship and land acquisition related provisions keeping in view the future economic growth of State and industrialization so as to generate huge employment for the youth of the State which is a dire need of the time.
The session was followed by extensive discussion by faculty, students and research scholars.
Prof. M. L. Sharma, retd. Professor from SKIMS, who was sharing the dais with other dignitaries, also offered his valuable comments.
Sumanta Sharma, Dr. Ashoka Tarai, Dr. Surendra Singh were also present. Dr. V. K. Tripathi, Director School of Philosophy and Culture and organizer of the workshop presented vote of thanks.
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