Will repeal Articles 370, 35A: BJP

The BharatiyaJanata Party Monday reiterated its commitment to repeal Article 370, which gives Jammu and Kashmir a special status, and Article 35A, which allows the state’s legislature to define permanent residents, and pledged in its manifesto to work towards ensuring return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley.

Stating that the party is committed to overcome allobstacles that come in the way of the state’s development and to provideadequate financial resources to all its regions, the BJP said in its manifestothat its position since the erstwhile Jan Sangh days has been for abrogation ofArticle 370 of the Constitution of India.

   

The saffron party also said it is committed to annullingArticle 35A, which, it alleged, was “discriminatory” against non-permanentresidents and women of Jammu and Kashmir.

“We believe that Article 35A is an obstacle in thedevelopment of the state,” the BJP said in its manifesto titled ‘sankalppatra’,released here by top party leaders including Prime Minister NarendraModi andthe party president Amit Shah.

The party has always advocated abrogation of Article 370 andhas also been speaking against Article 35A, but its renewed pitch duringelections assumes significance.

Both houses of the parliament would need to support suchmoves and Shah had recently said his party may get a majority in the RajyaSabhanext year.

Kashmir-based parties are vehemently opposed to any attemptto scrap Articles 370 and 35A. The Congress in its manifesto has promised tomaintain the constitutional status-quo on the matter.

The National Conference, its arch rival Peoples DemocraticParty (PDP) and new entrant People’s Conference led by SajadGani Lone have beentalking about protection of Articles 35A and 370 in their rallies in the run upto the polling which is scheduled to begin on April 11, latching on to Shah’sremarks that Article 35A will be repealed by 2020.

Their leaders have been saying that the Article 35A is amatter of faith and dignity for the people of the state through which theConstitution of India guarantees to safeguard the special identity and uniquestatus of Jammu and Kashmir.

Some leaders have also said that all northeastern states andeven Himachal Pradesh have laws prohibiting non-locals from purchasing land,but it was only J&K’s special status that was always talked about.

In its manifesto, the BJP also said it will take all stepsto ensure a safe and peaceful environment for all residents of the state andmake all efforts to ensure the safe return of Kashmiri Pandits.

The BJP also said its government will provide financialassistance for the resettlement of refugees from West Pakistan, Pakistan-administeredKashmir (PaK) and Chhamb.

In its manifesto, the BJP also underscored its commitment toenactment of the citizenship amendment bill, on which it was forced to go slowfollowing widespread opposition from north east states.

Home minister Rajnath Singh said the bill is necessary forprotection of individuals of religious minority communities from neighbouringcountries escaping persecution.

Referring to protests in northeastern estates against thebill, he said his party, if voted back to power, will make all efforts toclarify the issues to those who have expressed apprehensions regarding thelegislation.

“We reiterate our commitment to protect the linguistic,cultural and social identity of the people of North-East. Hindus, Jains,Buddhists and Sikhs escaping persecution from India’s neighbouring countrieswill be given citizenship in India,” he said.

Many in the North East region believe that such a law will threaten their cultural identity as a large number of immigrants living there will be accorded citizenship.

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