It is beyond any doubt now that New Delhi is using the issue of Article 35-A as a tool to blackmail the entire Kashmiri nation. It is evident that New Delhi has nothing to offer even to those talking of a resolution within Indian constitution, and in frustration it tries to defend itself by going offensive. Though BJP has been claiming to abrogate Articles 35-A, 370 and other related provisions from the day one of its coming into existence, but as on date it seems to be the designs and the desire of the deep state to use Article 35-A as a tool for political blackmailing and demoralizing Kashmiris. Let there be no doubt that whosoever has been dragging 35-A and 370 to Supreme Court has silent blessings of all the prominent actors of the deep state. Those advocating a resolution within Indian constitution have nothing to defend themselves as if New Delhi is keen to bulldoze the mortal remains of Autonomy, what could be the possible resolution to dispute within Indian constitution is quite understandable. The irony is that state government has yet again sought adjournment of the case in the Supreme Court citing Municipal and Panchayat Polls as a reason. It is bizarre and shameful that New Delhi wants first to fulfill its designs of conducting polls for its own interests by using Kashmiris like rubber stamp, and seek few more weeks before it could stab them from all sides. Should not Omer Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti take the lead and ask Modi Ji, without being apologetic, that no one will contest the Panchayat or Municipal polls unless New Delhi doesn’t stop destroying self respect of Kashmiris and blackmailing them by playing 35-A card. Time has come for mainstream parties to ask New Delhi with sincerity about the quantum and contours of Autonomy which successive prime ministers – from Narsihma Rao to Vajpayee – have been offering to Kashmiris. A tough stand by mainstream can still make New Delhi bend on its knees as by all standards truth lies on the side of Kashmiris. The Governor administration should have straight away asked Supreme Court not to dream of touching any provision granting special status to J&K including 35-A as it would mean betrayal from the terms and conditions of temporary instrument of accession, though New Delhi has already reduced the Autonomy to a skeleton. Let those giving strong logic for removal of Article 35-A first challenge the wisdom, sincerity and loyalty of those who incorporated Article 35-A and 370 into Indian constitution. I am sorry to say that they would not have been fools and duffers who would have incorporated it into Indian constitution. Doesn’t every incident prove that New Delhi was never sincere from the day of instrument of accession and it missed no opportunity to grab J&K by buying time and making false promises. If ultra nationalists claim to have turned too wise and mature to challenge the special status of J&K then what is wrong if the J&K Assembly would challenge the instrument of accession, which by all standards is a temporary document, and was executed under duress. No one defends 35-A because Kashmiris don’t believe in gender equality and other related principals but it is due to disputed nature of the state that no non-state subject has right to vote or get citizenship till permanent resolution of dispute. Let India hold the plebiscite and if entire J&K agrees to accede to India, we will love to become integral part and all articles granting J&K special status will get automatically abrogated. It is shameful on part of New Delhi to make a joke and mockery of sufferings, sacrifices and emotions of people of J&K. Rather than showing maturity and inviting Kashmiris to a fruitful dialogue, it is preferring to adopt childish and silly measures by disgracing and dishonouring its own constitution. Let the international community realize that it is not India which is facing the so called threat of radicalization in J&K but the helpless and caged Kashmiris who are fighting for their survival in their own motherland. While priority for Kashmiris and all genuine voices should be permanent resolution to Kashmir dispute, but if New Delhi continues to drag 35-A and other related provisions to Supreme Court after regular intervals till dooms day, what should Kashmiris do. Let the leadership introspect and think over it.
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