Sandeep Bhat
Srinagar, , Aug 28 : The state of Jammu and Kashmir which represents different regions and cultures has a distinct character. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians and others are living in a peaceful atmosphere here. Like rest of the country, J&K has different groups and cultures and each one has the freedom of expression and freedom of religion. In our country's constitution and preamble, secular, socialist, sovereign, democratic and republic words are there but in the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, the word secular is missing. Today through a private members bill, MLA Harshdev Singh brought the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir (Amendment) bill 2011(LA private member bill no 13 of 2011) for consideration and passing, but the minister for law and Parliamentary affairs Mir Saifullah opposed the bill on the issue that directive principles of the state already define the meaning of socialism, but harsh kept pressure that this bill on word secular should be allowed to move for consideration and passage. The confusion started when two law knowing persons tried to put their arguments forward. Harshdev Singh asked that when secular word was incorporated in constitution of India and the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir is adapted from Indian constitution so why word secular is not incorporated. It means our state is not secular in nature.What kind of message this government wants to convey to the people of the state.Balwant Singh Mankotia and Yashpal Kundal also joined Harshdev in support of passage of bill. The government didn't give satisfactory answer and when this bill was introduced, it was defeated by voice vote. BJP legislators neither supported nor opposed it. As per sources, there is an understanding between NC and PDP on "incorporation" of word secular in the state constitution and preamble. |
