| Make India one, scrap domicile law in HP; Art 371 in Nagaland | | | Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Aug 27: The state subject law was framed by the Dogra rulers to prevent onslaught of outsiders on their territory. The Kashmiri Pandits played an important role in getting the legislation framed. Today, the people are appreciating the wisdom of the Dogra rulers. The credit of preserving the identity of Dogras goes to them.
However, Jammu and Kashmir is not the only state where special laws meant for preserving the identity are inforce. Nagaland has Article 371 and the outsiders need a special permit to enter the state. Similarly, the neighbouring state of Himachal Pradesh has the domicile law which prevents outsiders to purchase land there.
As per the law, the domicile certificate is issued to a person who has a permanent home in Himachal Pradesh and the recent review of the law lays down that the certificate can be issued to a person who resides in the state for 15 to 20 years.
Surprisingly Himachal Pradesh is also ruled by the BJP but when it comes to implement the one India slogan in letter and spirit, states like Nagaland and Himachal are forgotten. If Art 35A hampers national integration, how does Himachal's domicile law and Article 371 in Nagaland help.
"The people of Jammu have always stood for India. When the state enjoyed total autonomy, the slogan of eak pradhan, eak vidhan and eak nishaan was raised in Jammu. They have fought discrimination tooth and nail," said an analyst.
He said that Jammu people have an open question for the BJP led government at the Centre i.e. If it wants to implement one-India slogan then domicile law in Himachal Pradesh and Article 371 in Nagaland should go.
"The BJP leaders need to clear their stand and implement the idea of one India by scrapping Article 371 in Nagaland and the domicile law in Himachal Pradesh. The BJP leaders should bear in mind that people have become politically conscious and they cannot be taken for a ride," the analyst said. "One India is a dream of all the Indian citizens and all such laws which provide special status to the states should be scrapped." |
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