Sheikh first leader, NC first party to endorse accession: Dr Jitendra

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 27: Ridiculing the Chief Minister and NC leadership for raising a question mark over the accession of J&K State with Indian Union, BJP National Executive Member and its chief spokesperson of the State, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that former Chief Minister, Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah was the first leader from the State and his NC was the first political party which endorsed the instrument of accession signed by Maharaja in 1947.
Participating in a seminar organised by Sanjeevani Sharda Kendra, Anand Nagar Bohri here today in connection with observance of 66th Accession Day, Dr Jitendra Singh said the party has been raising the issue from time to time and challenging the accession because of political expediency and opportunism.
He said in his address to Constituent Assembly in 1952 Sheikh Abdullah while defending the accession with India said that “we are with India as whenever State was in trouble and Pak invaders raided J&K, it (India) saved us’’. Sheikh Abdullah also went a step further saying J&K has better future with India and not with Pak, he added.
He said even in UN Security Council in 1948, Sheikh Abdullah strongly defended accession with India. Besides, the Article 3 and Article 5 of J&K Constitution say that J&K is internal part of India and India has full jurisdiction over the State, he added.
He said the Article 147 of the Constitution further says that while other sections of the Constitution of J&K are subjected to amendment but there would be no amendment to Section 3 and Section 5, added Dr Singh.
He said when Sheikh was installed as the Chief Minister of J&K in 1975 he never contradicted the accession and two committees were formed to review the Central laws applied on State after 1952 by him. One Committee was headed by former Deputy Chief Minister, Devi Dass Thakur and another by then MP Ghulam Rasool Kochak, he added.
He said, while the DD Thakur Committee justified all the Central laws applied in the State since 1952, the Kochak Committee favoured repealing of some laws but Sheikh accepted Thakur Committee report and turned down the Kochak Committee report, he added.
He however said for political expediency and opportunism during 1977 Assembly poll NC declared July 13 Martyrs Day and since then it is observed as holiday. Terming Accession Day a national festival, Dr Singh demanded that it should be declared as a State holiday instead of July 13.
Earlier addressing the seminar Dr M K Teng a political analyst and think tank gave the historical background of accession. He said it is irrevocable, final and irreversible and the issue is settled once for all.
He while ridiculing the statement of NC leadership said that by taking back consent by some one or giving consent, the accession does not break.
He said, the challenges posed to accession by some leaders are because Indian State is at war with Indian nation.
Prof T N Shalla Trustee Sanjeevani Sharda Kendra highlighted the role of Kendra saying it is orgnanising such seminars and functions for public awakening from time to time.
BJP leader Sheela Handoo, freelancer Shiban Khaybri, B L Saraf, retired Session Judge, J L Kaul, T N Pandita, Brij Hali and others took part in question answer session that followed the seminar.
Dr M K Bharat compared the programme.