Speakers from across the spectrum of political opinion in Kashmir Friday resolved mainstream political parties will appeal the government of India to protect Article 35A of the constitution that allows the state legislature to define permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
At a seminar organised by Kashmir Center for Social and Development Studies (KCSDS) and other civil society groups at hotel Shahshah Palace here, prominent political voices spoke in unison discussing ways and means for protecting the constitutional provision on political and legal fronts.
It was resolved besides appealing to the Government of India, the speakers would collectively and individually call up on the Governor to defend the provision in the Supreme Court by hiring top legal luminaries.
It was also resolved that mainstream political groups will implead themselves as parties in the case, because “it is their duty to protect the constitutional provisions guaranteeing special position to the State”.
Former union minister and senior Congress leader Prof. Saifuddin Soz said there was a need to sensitise the people of India about dangers of annuling Article 35A.
“Why we should not meet PM, Home Minister and different shades of political opinion in New Delhi to make them understand that there will be revolt in J&K if Article 35A is annulled?,” Soz said.
“There are many people in India who feel for Kashmiris.”
Soz also said the case should be fought legally as well as politically.
“It is a political proposition and it should be fought politically,” he said.
Senior PDP leader and former MLA Nizamuddin Bhat called for countering the narrative being crafted at the national level against Article 35A.
“The narrative at national level is dangerous. We have to face this narrative and generate public opinion in our favour,” he said, stressing on unity among the stakeholders for defending the constitutional provision.
The opposition NC representative Showkat Ahmad Mir said that his party is committed to protect the Article. “We have always fought against the forces who tried to bulldoze the J&K’s special position,” Mir said.
MLA Langate, Er. Rashid said unity among National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party was a panacea for all the problems and ills of Kashmiris.
“Why Omar and Mehbooba cannot lead a delegation to New Delhi and tell them we want resolution of Kashmir issue? No power on earth can stop resolution of Kashmiris if they join hands,” Er. Rashid said.
Lashing out at New Delhi for not defending the constitutional provision, senior legislator Muhammad Yosouf Tarigami said Government of India’s silence over Article 35A had created apprehensions among the people in Kashmir.
“These apprehensions are not perceived, they are real,” he said, adding it was the duty of the Government of India to protect this provision of its constitution.
“Whether somebody is for accession or against it, it is in common interest that we should join hands to defend the constitutional provision.”
Chairman Democratic Party Nationalist (DPN) Ghulam Hassan Mir also called for unified efforts to defend the Article 35A.
Awami National Conference leader, Muzaffar Shah said that there was a continuous onslaught on J&K’s special identity.
“We have to foil the nefarious designs of the elements who are hell-bent upon destroying J&K’s special position,” Shah said.
Former advocate general, Jehangir Iqbal Ganai said Governor should continue with the stand taken by the previous government on the matter as it is in accordance with the law.
He said state government should file a detailed counter-affidavit to touch all the aspects and contentions raised by the petitioners.
The former AG said there should be pan –J&K representation to protect Article 35A.
“We shouldn’t become shy from defending the Article 35A in the Apex Court,” Ganai said.
Former vice-chancellor of Islamic University of Science and Technology , Prof Siddiq Wahid said Article 35A is the issue of existence for the people of J&K including Ladakh.
“It is an issue of every citizen of the state,” Prof Wahid said.
Prominent civil society member, Syed Shakeel Qalandar said there had to be a unanimous stand among the political parties over the issue.
“All parties should do whatever is possible to protect Article 35A,” Qalandar said.
Noted academician and chairperson Kashmir Centre for Social and Development Studies, Prof Hameeda Nayeem sounded confident and said Kashmiri people will foil all attempts to annul Article 35A.
“We will face bullets but will not allow them to abrogate it (Article 35A),” Prof Nayeem said.
The seminar was also attended by former Chief Information Commissioner G R Sufi, former bureaucrat Muhammad Shafi Pandit, Prof Gul Wani, Prof Noor Baba and columnist Gowhar Geelani.
Those present in the seminar included Salman Sagar (NC), Rafi Mir (PDP), Siraj Ahmad, Bashir Ahmad Rather and Sajad Gul, Gowhar Ahmad, Dr Mubeen Shah.
Among others who spoke on the occassion included veteran journalist Muhammad Syed Malik.