Early Times Report
Jammu, Aor 7: On an invitation from Defence forces, Maj Gen SK Sharma, AVSM, Director Academics, Model Institute of Engineering and Technology, Jammu and President, Forum for Awareness of National Security, J&K conducted a JK specific awareness programme for their officers.
Topic of the lecture was Article 370 and its impact on National Security and attended by officers from Army, Air Force and Navy.
Gen Sharma gave brief of the political scenario in J&K during 1947 when Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession and joined India. Formation of J&K Constituent Assembly, drafting of Article 370 and its insertion in the constitution was explained. Later in 1954, another article 35A was also inserted in the constitution through a notification by the President of India. Under these articles, the J&K state subjects were given certain privileges and other citizens of the country outside J&K State were debarred fundamental rights in the state.
This led to a peculiar situation leading to alienation of the citizens of J&K and promotion of terror activities in the state. Army and paramilitary forces had tough time to control the terror activities besides disgruntlement in the residents of Jammu and Ladakh.
On 5th August 2019, the article 35A as well as the portions of article 370 which were specific to J&K were removed in accordance with the procedure laid down in article 368 of the constitution. When this bill was tabled in Rajya Sabha, 125 members approved it with only 61 voting against it. That showed the willingness of the nation to scrap the special provisions in these articles which were originally meant to be “temporary”.
Some participants felt that India’s position in dealing with Chinese forces has become strong by abrogating articles 370 and 35A. It is now at an advantageous position to negotiate with PLA from a position of equivalence. Besides this, the citizens who were deprived fundamental rights in J&K were the gainers.
In the end the coordinating officer brought out that this type of awareness programme should be conducted for all defence officers posted in J&K as it will help them deal with local public effectively when they are called in aid of civil authorities.
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