Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 25: Reiterating that Article 35-A of the Constitution of India was untouchable, Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) president Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen today warned that any misadventure to tinker with it was fraught with disastrous consequences.
In a statement, Hakeem Yaseen said that Article 35-A is a Constitutional guarantee for safety to the special identity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “All right-thinking people and civil society groups both at national and State levels must unite to defend Article 35-A. Mainstream political parties and civil society groups in the State should present a united face to demand restoration of pre-1953 position instead of defending Article 35-A only,” he said.
Yaseen said that petitions against Article 35-A have earlier also, on three occasions, been dismissed by the Supreme Court as this Article has a strong constitutional footing. “Any tinkering with Article 35-A would add fuel to the fire as situation in the state is already volatile. Article 370 and Article 35-A has constitutional position and is a bridge between Kashmir and New Delhi. Any fiddling with it will have adverse impact on the relations between State and the Centre,” he said.
“People of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh were ready to give any sacrifice to protect Article 370 and 35-A, which guarantees for special status to J&K in the Indian Union. The proposed abrogation of article 35-A will have serious ramification not only within the State, but it would also be very harmful for the country as well. To avoid more bloodshed in the State particularly in Kashmir Valley, it becomes necessary that the leaders from all like-minded parties unite to fight against any such attempt,” he added.
The PDF leader asked the Government to take stern action against those elements who have been attacking Kashmiris outside the State and in Jammu. He also questioned the arrest spree of Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and activists.
“The arrest of Jamaat members came in the wake of Centre’s decision to rush 100 companies of paramilitary forces to the Valley. A situation of mistrust and chaos is being created. Till now separatists were being arrested but now Jamaat leaders are also being detained. This won’t improve the situation,” Yaseen said.
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