Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 30: Reacting to the remarks of former Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, the veteran warrior and defence analyst Col (Dr) Virendra K Sahi, has stated that protecting Article 35A may not be anti-national but it has already lost the very purpose of its legally questionable addition to the constitution.
In a press statement here today, Col Sahi said the purpose is defeated blatantly when thousands of foreign nationals like Rohingyas from Mayanmar and Bangladesh have come and settled in the State in addition to Assamese, Orriyas and Biharis, with the past and present State Governments doing nothing to through them out.
“Why are they silent over it?” Asked the veteran, adding “do we need to retain Art 35A only to make an issue for arm twisting the Nation?”.
Col Sahi, further said that the provisions of Art 35A are hurting the interests of all unfortunate daughters of the State who are discouraged from selecting a match for marrying outside the State, for fear of getting disconnected with their roots and not finding acceptance of their spouse and children as state subjects like the male population of the State, whose wives are given PRC. This is discriminatory and against the very basis of gender equality in democracy.
The veteran also pointed out that the Balmiki community was brought in from Punjab in the interest of the State. Denial of PRC to their subsequent generations born in the State if they opt out of the ancestral trade is inhuman and graduates and post graduates are either forced to work as Safai Karamcharis or lose all benefits of PRC. “It is inhuman and cruel and against Insaniyat” said Col Sahi.
Similar is the case of West Pakistani refugees whose subsequent generations born in the State should be accepted as State subjects ‘by birth’. As regards the purchase of property by non state subjects is concerned, there can be many checks and balances as instituted by many other States in the country like Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, Tamil Nadu etc.
Col Sahi urged the ruling and opposition leaders from Kashmir Valley to look beyond the narrow confines of their truncated constituencies and rid of this discriminatory menace that has outlived its utility, become defunct and is doing more harm to the State than any good by hampering growth development, integration and opportunities. He urged the Jammu and Ladakh leadership not to be silent spectators to this ongoing misrepresentation and false propaganda.
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