news details |
|
|
| Experts debate Indian federalism at International conference in Kashmir | | |
SRINAGAR, AUG 26, In the eyes of majority of experts debating "Indian Federalism at Work" at three-day long conference being held here at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), the constitution of India is quasi-federal and is working smoothly but some opined why then the ground realities in the country are so abysmal?
Renowned jurist and former Chief Justice of India A M Ahmadi termed the constitution as quasi-federal and said the state of Jammu and Kashmir occupies a unique place in the constitution of India because of its flexible nature.
Federalism, according to Mr Ahmadi, is a concept that unites separate states into a union without sacrificing their unique political integrity and characteristics.
"Would it have been possible to include Article-370 in the Indian constitution had it not been a quasi-federal constitution? It was possible only because our constitution is not unitary," said Justice (Retd) Ahmadi.
The state of Jammu and Kashmir is the only state which was allowed to retain its own constitution, Mr A M Ahmadi said.
Recalling words of the then Prime Minister of J&K Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Mr Ahmadi said even he (Sheikh Abdullah) found Article-370 unsettling and demanded iron-clad guarantees to autonomy.
In his views Indian federalism has gone through many a phases. Terming the year 1975 of emergency during Indra Gandhi's rule as most turbulent phase, he said federal structure of constitution has worked well.
About the existing coalition politics in the country he said: "I wonder whether these coalition governments will give stable governments. Days of coalition have come and it seems the single party rule is gone for the time being".
In her keynote address Ms Sayeda Hameed, Member, Planning Commission, on Friday afternoon argued that even after 60 years of Independence there are some places in India where people are at the brink of starvation. To substantiate her argument she cited example of a place, some 80 Kms from famous town of Uttar Pradesh Banaras (now Varanasi), where she said condition of people is abysmal. "There is very little which reaches to the weakest and poorest of the masses," she said, adding, "Let the people of vision look beyond immediate horizons and suggest new ways so that the relief is felt by the poorest of the poor."
Special Representative to Government of India for Jammu and Kashmir dialogue N N Vohra in his presidential address opined there was nothing serious to be worried about. "In my view I don't think we really have something very serious to be worried about. To improve the quality of governance the constitution would not require much change," Mr Vohra said.
Sharing his experiences he added: "In my working life emergence of coalition of State and Centre has contributed to the impetus to federal structure. Our federalism has been evolving and is evolving," adding, "Our constitution is flexible. We have made more than 100 amendments as per the needs. It has been a dynamic period. Yes, there have been occasions of sorrows as well".
The Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi is organizing the conference, in collaboration with University of Kashmir, University of Jammu, and Hamdard University and sponsored by different departments. The event is being managed by Global Green Peace, a local NGO.
Vice Chancellor, Jammu University Prof. Amitabh Mattoo presented the vote of thanks.
Dignitaries present on the occasion included Ms Asma Jehangir, Chairperson, Human Rights Commission, Pakistan; Mr I A Rehman, Director, Human Rights Commission, Pakistan; Mr A G Noorani, jurist and veteran journalist; Dr George Mathew, Director, Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi; Balraj Puri, Director, Institute of Jammu and Kashmir Affairs, Jammu; Prof. Abdul Wahid, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir, besides others. Speakers from countries like USA and Sweden are also among participants.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
