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| Explain how this provision benefited people of J&K | | BJP on Article 370 | |
Rustam
JAMMU, May 2: The BJP, which stands for the abrogation of Article 370, has once again asked those opposing abrogation of this Article to spell out how it has benefited Jammu and Kashmir and its people. It was none other than BJP national president Rajnath Singh who the other called for a comprehensive debate on the constitutional provision that grants separate status to the State. A statement to this effect was first made by the BJP's PM candidate Narendra Modi on December 1, 2013 while addressing a mammoth Lalkar Rally in the City of Temples, Jammu.
"Our stand is that because of this (Article 370), Jammu and Kashmir has not benefited at all. Had it benefited, had it helped in reduction of poverty, then we would welcome it. But this has not happened," Rajnath Singh said in an interview. Favouring a debate on the issue, he said those opposing abrogation of the Article "should spell out how it has benefited the State. We believe it has not benefited the State". It is important to note that in its manifesto for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the party has said, "The BJP reiterates its stand on the Article 370 and will discuss this with all stakeholders and remains committed to the abrogation of this Article".
The suggestion of the BJP is reasonable and it needs to be appreciated by one and all. The BJP is right when it says that Article 370 has not benefited the state and its people and it must be scrapped taking into consideration the evil effects of this pernicious provision, which was inserted in the constitution way back in October 1949 at the behest of Jawaharlal Nehru and communalist of communalists Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah of the Valley-based and Kashmir-centric pro-autonomy National Conference.
That Article 370 has not benefited the state and its people could be seen from the fact that the corporate houses have not invested in the state, thus creating an environment in the state not conducive for the generation of employment opportunities. Similarly, it can also be seen from the fact that all the non-Muslim minorities and several social groups, including the refugees from West Pakistan, the SCs, STs, OBCs, daughters of the state and so on, have been opposing it on the ground that it is squarely responsible for their pitiable condition. The inter-regional bitterness and animosity, the demands in Jammu and Ladakh for the state reorganization, the demand of the internally displaced Kashmiri Hindus for a separate homeland in the Valley invested with UT status and the general consensus in Jammu and Ladakh that Article 370 has only empowered the ruling elite in Kashmir to exercise absolute power, sans any responsibility and accountability, should further prove that Article 370 is not a boon. But more than that, the manner in which the NC, in collaboration with the Congress, has consistently subverted the democratic processes in the state to remain in power must make all the democratic forces in the country to force the votaries of Article 370 to have a debate on it so that the issue is clinched once and for all to the satisfaction of the people. It's time we came forward to start and join the debate. |
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