Articles 370, 35A deeply tied to sentiments of J-K people: PDP MLA
PDP MLA Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi asserts Articles 370 and 35A are deeply linked to the emotions of Jammu and Kashmir people during the Assembly session.
In a significant statement during the ongoing autumn session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, People's Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi emphasized that Articles 370 and 35A are far more than just legal text; they are fundamentally connected to the emotions and sentiments of the people living in the region.
Speaking on the importance of the legislative process, Mehdi highlighted that the Assembly serves as the only platform where the specific challenges and grievances of the region can be formally presented and advocated for. He noted that the current session has been focused on bringing these public concerns to the forefront to find viable solutions.
The Fight for Restoration
Addressing the constitutional changes that occurred in 2019, Mehdi expressed a firm stance on the necessity of bringing back previous protections. He stated:
"Articles 370 and 35A were not merely constitutional provisions; they were deeply tied to the sentiments and emotions of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We continue to advocate for their restoration."
The PDP leader also took a swipe at the ruling party, suggesting that since the BJP was responsible for the removal of these provisions, the hope for them to reverse the decision remains slim.
Political Friction in the Assembly
The session has been marked by intense debate and accusations of disruption between the various political factions. The atmosphere in the House has been tense, with members from different parties trading blame over the conduct of proceedings:
- National Conference MLA Abdul Majeed Larmi claimed that while the Question Hour was productive, BJP members frequently caused uproars in the House, describing it as a recurring tactic.
- Congress MLA Nizam Uddin Bhat expressed concern over the loss of legislative time due to shouting and aggressive posturing, noting that such "jingoism" hinders the ability of representatives to hold the government accountable.
- BJP MLA R S Pathania countered these claims, alleging that the ruling National Conference was actually responsible for the disruptions. He maintained that the BJP prefers resolving issues through debate and deliberation.
Statehood and Constitutional Amendments
The discussions come at a critical time as the Assembly deliberates on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's resolution. This resolution seeks the immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, drawing on precedents set in previous years.
The debate has also seen efforts to broaden the scope of this resolution. Mehdi had moved an amendment to express "deep anguish and disapproval" regarding the actions taken after August 5, 2019. This includes the removal of Articles 370 and 35A and the reorganization of the former state into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The autumn session, which commenced on September 21, is scheduled to wrap up on September 30. Throughout the seven sittings, legislators have tackled a wide array of local issues, ranging from employment and reservation policies to power tariffs and the regularization of workers.