Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 26: Expressing his indignation and shock over the use of words “Azad Kashmir” in one of the questions appearing in the question paper of Patwar exams conducted by the J&K Services Selection Board (SSB) on Sunday, NPP chairman and former Education Minister Harsh Dev Singh sought a high level probe into the whole gamut of setting of question paper and its distribution amongst the students taking the said exams.
How could such an obnoxious terminology be used for ‘PoJK’ by the paper setters who are supposed to be highly qualified men of letters. Is it a mischief or a deliberate attempt? Questioned Harsh Dev while denouncing the highly offensive term used for the territory which is a part and parcel of the State and of country and illegally occupied by Pakistan. This is not mere misrepresentation but a highly outrageous act committed in an official exam changing the nomenclature of ‘PoJK’ to Azad Kashmir, NPP leader said.
Referring to the legal position on the subject, Harsh Dev Singh said that both the constitution of India as well as of the State unambiguously declare that entire territory of J&K including that under the illegal occupation of Pakistan is a part of India. Referring to sec 4 of J&K State Constitution, Singh said that it categorically stated that “the territory of the State shall comprise all the territories which on the 15th day of August, 1947 were under the sovereignty and suzerainty of the ruler of State”. Likewise Art 1 of the Constitution of India and its First Schedule categorically provide that the entire territory of undivided J&K is a part of India. He said that with the constitutional position clear on the subject and the India Govt’s unequivocal stand of entire J&K forming part of India, the use of words “Azad Kashmir” is not only an act of sacrilege but seditious as well. It was indicative of the handiwork of the separatist forces operational in the Govt and wielding influence in the incumbent regime.
Seeking appropriate action against those associated with the setting of question paper, Singh said that it was not an act of aberration which could be dismissed lightly but a part of larger plot which required thorough investigation.
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