LoP says Article 370 buried, Spl status has no Constitutional basis
Jammu/Srinagar, Feb 07 (KNO): Pandemonium broke out in the Legislative Assembly on Saturday over the issue of special status of the erstwhile state, with ruling National Conference (NC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs sparring over it, even as Leader of Opposition Sunil Kumar Sharma later termed “special status” a lie and said Article 370 is now history.
As per the news agency, during the budget discussion, NC MLA Javaid Hussain Baig said that Article 370, Article 35-A, the Jammu & Kashmir Constitution, and the J&K flag together constitute what is referred to as the special status of Jammu & Kashmir.
Leader of Opposition Sunil Kumar Sharma interrupted, asserting that the term special status does not exist in the Constitution of India. “If the word special status exists in the Constitution of India, I am ready to face any punishment you hand over to me. What is special status?” Sharma questioned.
Intervening in the debate, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Satish Sharma, remarked that “those who do not know their history cannot create history.” Minister for Horticulture, Javid Dar, told the Leader of Opposition that he had no right to disrupt the House.
As Treasury benches prevented the Leader of Opposition from speaking, BJP MLAs stood up and shouted slogans of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai, Bharat Mata Ki Jai.” NC MLAs also stood up, raising slogans of “Special Status Ayega, Special Status Ayega.”
Once order was restored, Baig resumed his speech, claiming that the erosion of Article 370 was responsible for alienation and violence.
Similar scenes were witnessed when Independent MLA from Rajouri, Muzaffar Khan, said that every state should have internal autonomy and its own constitution. “We should also have our own flag,” Khan said. His remarks triggered protests from BJP legislators, who demanded that they be expunged from the records.
Deputy Chief Minister rebuked the protesting BJP lawmakers. “Don’t show so much hatred towards the J&K flag. When you were in power, you were hoisting two flags,” he told them. NC MLA from Eidgah, Mubarak Gul, who was presiding over the House, remarked that the comments should be expunged from the record if they had hurt them. His ruling was objected to by NC lawmakers. However, he clarified that he had not ordered the remarks to be expunged.
Later, speaking to the media, Leader of Opposition and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma questioned demands for “special status” for the Union Territory, saying there is no provision for it in the Indian Constitution.
“I am not a legal expert but, based on my understanding of constitutional provisions, there is no mention of special status in relation to Jammu and Kashmir’s accession or merger with India. Any constitutional demand must have a legal basis,” he said.
He added, “What is this special status? Many states demand special status. You must have seen several states seeking special packages. Special status can mean an employment package or other benefits.”
Sharma said Article 370, which provided certain privileges to Jammu and Kashmir, is now part of history. “So don’t connect it to 370. It has been buried,” he added. Referring to the NC MLA who raised the issue in the Assembly, Sharma said, “Where is it? It is not there. They should take the Indian Constitution to a legal expert and show where special status regarding J&K exists.” He reiterated that he would be willing to face any punishment if proof of such a special status could be provided.
He alleged that political leaders, particularly from the Abdullah family, have always misled people of Kashmir to gain votes by making claims about special status. He accused the National Conference of mocking daily wage workers, unemployed youth, and beneficiaries of government schemes such as AAY, DPL, and EWS during discussions on special status.
Sharma claimed that some leaders are now using the demand for special status to legitimise electoral setbacks and failures in governance. “Abdullah Parivar has cheated Kashmir. Today, when exposed for their failures, they are making claims of special status to justify themselves,” he said.
Questioning the relevance of the term in contemporary politics, Sharma said: “If there is a special status word about J&K, I am ready to face any punishment. But it is a lie. Where is the special status?” (KNO)
Article 370 a history now: Chugh
Jammu Tawi, Feb 07: Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government is committed to women-led development and empowerment, BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh on Saturday said Article 370 is a history now and will never return.
Addressing the Mahila Samvad programme organised by the BJP Mahila Morcha at Karan Palace in Jammu, Chugh, who is also the J&K Prabhari, according to the news agency said, “Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, women empowerment has become a central pillar of governance and development across the country and the J&K women are emerging as key partners in nation building.”
Initiatives such as girls’ hostels in every district, scholarships in technical education, and support for women entrepreneurs are creating new opportunities for young women to become self-reliant and contribute actively to national development.
He said the abrogation of Article 370 was a historic step for women of Jammu and Kashmir, granting them constitutional rights that had been denied for decades. “The Article has become a history and will never return. Women now enjoy equal property rights and full legal protection under central laws related to domestic violence, dowry, and workplace safety,” he added.
