news details |
|
|
| Kashmir trying to hijack Mahajara Hari Singh's legacy on JK's special status! | | 'Article 35 essentially protects Dogra identity' | |
Early Times Report
Jammu, Mar 5: Whereas the people of Kashmir, particularly the separatist and the mainstream leadership are claiming to be the "champions" trying to protect Article 370 and Article 35 A, the fact remains that it was actually the Dogra Mahajaras who had constitutionally laid foundation for the safeguard of the special status of the state in general and Dogra identity in particular.
From the Hurriyat Conference to National Conference to Peoples Democratic Party, almost every political camp in Kashmiri is trying to take credit for being in support of the special status.
But the reality is totally different. Historians say it was actually Maharaja Hari Singh who had introduced the state subject norms on April 20, 1927.
As per the historians, the Maharaja Hari Singh was informed by his courtiers that people from outside the then princely state of Jammu and Kashmir could take over land or government positions thereby "encroaching upon the Dogra identity of the rulers."
"To save the interests of locals(dogras), who owned land or held position in the state administration, the Maharaj formulated the new laws as he was apprehensive that non-state subjects might usurp their rights," the historians have been saying.
Observers say in the special status, Jammu holds the major stakes, especially in the corporate sector in the state. The revocation of the special status is feared to affect the local players the most.
The people of Jammu have been sensing this trouble for quite some time.
In February 2017, the then PDP-BJP government had ordered to lease out pharmacy shops to non-locals.
Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (JKMSCL) had reportedly issued a tender to a Delhi-based firm, Sanyog Enterprises Private Limited to open 57 chemist shops at different government hospitals in the Jammu region.
The decision drew severe opposition with chemists and druggists from Jammu going on a 72-hour strike.
The strike call was duly backed by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Jammu Kashmir Chemists and Druggists Association.
The government had to withdraw the controversial orders. Officials said "The order could be withdrawn only because of the special status."
"If that special status is gone, everyone will have a right to stake claims. From land to government resources, everything in Jammu which is essentially about Dogra identity will get diluted," said a senior official on the condition of anonymity.
An academic cautioned "See this time the people of Jammu have been fighting for the cause of Dogra identity. Once the special status is revoked, every non Dogra will have equal stakes in the region and thus the pride legacy will be eroded."
The relationship between the Articles 370 and 35(A) has come under legal scrutiny after the validity of Article 35(A) was challenged in the Supreme Court through multiple petitions.
Observers said the Article 370 guarantees special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Article 35A, on the other hand, is a provision incorporated in the Constitution giving the J&K Legislature a "power to decide who all are 'permanent residents' of the State and confer on them special rights and privileges in public sector jobs, acquisition of property in the State, scholarships and other public aid and welfare."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
