News Analysis India

Tag: Article 370

  • PM mum on restoration of Art 370

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  While PM Narendra Modi told the Kashmir  leaders that his government is committed to restoring statehood, he remained silent on the restoration of Article 370. Sources told this newspaper that another issue on which the PM remained non-committal was the demand of new domicile rules, job guarantee for locals. Congress veteran Ghulam Nabi Azad said his party had placed the demand that in the new Bill for Statehood, the government should protect land rights through new domicile rules and guarantee employment for locals.

    When asked about the government’s stand on the two issues, a senior government functionary said: “Restoration of Article 370 is out of question and the government has already declared the new domicile rules.” NC leaders Farooq and Omar Abdullah, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, CPM leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami put forward the demand for restoration of Article 370. “Almost 80% of parties spoke on Article 370 but the matter is sub judice,” said Azad. 

    PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said she told the PM that the abrogation of special status has left the people  “angry, upset, humiliated and emotionally shattered”. “Be it months or years, we’ll restore Article 370 in J&K as it’s a matter of our identity. We didn’t get it from Pakistan, it was given to us by our country, by Nehru, Sardar Patel.” 

    Omar too said that he told the prime minister that the party does not stand with the August 5, 2019 decision when the government revoked the special status of J&K and turned the state into two union territories. “We’re not ready to accept it,” he said. Omar also questioned the need for carrying out the delimitation process in J&K. After the 2001 census, the J&K assembly had passed a law, putting off the delimitation process till 2026, he said.

    “We said delimitation was not needed. If August 5 was to unite the state with India, then the delimitation process defeats the purpose as we are being singled out.”  At Thursday’s meeting, Modi urged the 14 leaders to get on board with the process of delimitation and said that the election process in the UT will begin once the delimitation process is finished.  

  • BJP delegation opposes dialogue with Pakistan at meet in PM’s residence on J-K

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Opposing a dialogue with Pakistan till it stops “exporting” terror into Jammu and Kashmir, a BJP delegation led by J&K president Ravinder Raina at an all-party meet here on Thursday said those seeking engagement with the neighbouring country should meet the victims of violence to understand their pain.

    The meeting, which was held to chalk out the future political course of action in Jammu and Kashmir, was convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and it had in attendance 14 leaders from the Union Territory.

    The delegation called for intensification of efforts to root out the “sense of Pakistan, separatism and terrorism” from Jammu and Kashmir to provide a peaceful atmosphere to its people who are Indian to the core of their “heart, blood and DNA”, Raina told PTI at the end of the meeting.

    He said the three-member BJP team, which also comprised of two former deputy chief ministers – Nirmal Singh and Kavinder Gupta – also pitched for constitution of an apex committee to hold dialogues with representatives of the Kashmiri migrant pandit community for their dignified return and rehabilitation in the Kashmir Valley at the earliest.

    The BJP leader said he thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his sincere efforts to end the political deadlock by holding the dialogue with prominent leaders from Jammu and Kashmir.

    “The prime minister knows the heartbeat of the people of Jammu and Kashmir as he has lived among them for a long time, and knows their pain as well. Those talking about holding dialogue with Pakistan should know that India enjoys good relations with every country except Islamabad which has bled J&K for the past 35 years by exporting terror,” Raina told the meeting.

    He said training camps for terrorists are still active in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan, and in such a scenario, the policy of the Indian government is clear that gun and dialogue cannot go together.

    “Those demanding dialogue with Pakistan should understand the pain of those who are the victims of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. They should meet them and ask whether we should hold dialogue with Pakistan and see their reaction,” the BJP leader said.

    “We have to root out sense of Pakistan, separatism and terrorism, and in this direction, efforts should be intensified,” Raina said.

    He said that “Kashmiri pandits, Sikhs and nationalist Muslims had to flee their homes in the Valley in 1990 due to the Pakistani gun and migrate to different parts of the country”.

    “We suggest the constitution of an apex committee to hold dialogue with the representatives of Kashmiri pandits for their dignified return and rehabilitation in the valley. The pandits are the ambassadors of the Indian nationalism,” Raina said.

    He said the delegation also spoke about residents of Jammu and Kashmir who are living in areas under the illegal occupation of Pakistan.

    The government should pay special attention to them and become their voice as they are suffering the “worst kind” of human rights violations, Raina said.

    Praising the prime minister, Raina said he understands the pain of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and is putting balm on their wounds ever since he came to power at the Centre.

    “He was there among the people at Srinagar city centre Lal Chowk on Dilwali when they were hit by the worst ever floods in 2014 and announced Rs 80,000 crore special package for the development of J&K,” he said and listed various developmental projects in different sectors including health, education, roads, power and railways.

    Defending the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, Raina said that he told the meeting that the decision ended “grave injustice” of over 70 years with different communities including daughters of J&K, PoK refugees, West Pakistani refugees, Gorkha Samaj and Valmiki Samaj who were denied citizenship rights in the erstwhile state.

    Raina also praised Modi for strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions and said for the first time, elections to District Development Councils and Block Development Councils took place to strengthen grassroot democracy.

    “People of Jammu and Kashmir are very happy after the abrogation of the Article 370 and expressed their faith by taking part in the democratic exercise which is evident from the 80 per cent turnout in the elections,” he said.

    The BJP leader said he demanded addressing all issues being faced by Special Police Officers and Village Defence Committee members who have played a key role in anti-insurgency operations.

    Raina said in the meeting he talked about the over one lakh casual labourers, daily wagers and need-based workers who are providing their services in 28 government departments for the past several decades and are demanding regularisation of their services.

    The BJP delegation also thanked the prime minister for announcing a delimitation commission for Jammu and Kashmir, he said, adding they are quite sure that the process would be completed within the stipulated time and to the satisfaction of the people.

    The delegation also hailed the Centre for strengthening the anti-corruption mechanism, Raina said, adding people of Jammu and Kashmir are happy as the move has tightened the noose around corrupt officers and politicians.

    “We also thanked the Prime Minister for providing free vaccination against Covid-19,” he said.

  • Delimitation, holding of polls in J-K important milestones in restoring statehood: says Shah

    The home minister #39;s comments came after a three-and-half-hour-long meeting held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with 14 political leaders from Jammu and Kashmir.

  • Delimitation exercise in J&K has to happen quickly so that polls take place, says PM after all-party meet

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the ongoing delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir has to happen quickly so that polls can be held to install an elected government that gives strength to its development trajectory.

    In a series of tweets after a three-and-a-half-hour-long meeting with 14 political leaders of Jammu and Kashmir, Modi said the deliberations were an important step in the ongoing efforts towards a developed and progressive Jammu and Kashmir where all-round growth is furthered.

    “Our priority is to strengthen grassroots democracy in J&K. Delimitation has to happen at a quick pace so that polls can happen and J&K gets an elected Government that gives strength to J&K’s development trajectory,” he said.

    The prime minister said it was the biggest strength of Indian democracy that people can sit across a table and exchange views.

    “I told the leaders of J&K that it is the people, specially the youth who have to provide political leadership to J&K, and ensure their aspirations are duly fulfilled,” he said.

    The prime minister chaired the meeting at his official residence here.

    During the three-and-a-half-hour-long meeting, almost all the 14 leaders from Jammu and Kashmir demanded that its statehood, which was removed in August 2019, should be restored, he said.

    According to official sources, the main focus of the meeting was to strengthen the democratic process and the prime minister said that the government was fully committed to it.

    This is the first interaction between the central leadership and the mainstream parties since August 5, 2019, when the Centre revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370 of the Constitution and bifurcated it into union territories, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

    Modi stressed that holding assembly elections, just like the successful conduct of the District Development Council polls, is a priority and that the polls can happen soon after the delimitation exercise, the sources said, adding that by and large most participants expressed willingness for it.

    The prime minister stressed that an atmosphere of safety and security needs to be ensured for all sections of society in Jammu and Kashmir and he wanted to remove ‘Dilli ki Duri as well as ‘Dil Ki Duri’ (distance from Delhi as well as distance of heart), according to the sources.

    “The meeting was very cordial and very positive, very dignified. We all agreed that we must work for the democracy. The prime minister has assured that he will do everything to make Jammu and Kashmir a zone of peace rather than a zone of conflict,” People’s Conference leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig told reporters after the meeting.

    Baig said the government side conveyed that the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held after the completion of the ongoing delimitation process.

    “We were conveyed that the delimitation process will be completed first and thereafter a call will be taken on holding the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

    However, he said, no time frame has been given on holding the polls.

    “Almost everyone at meeting raised the demand for restoration of statehood of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said, adding the prime minister carefully listened to every issue raised by the political leaders.

    This is the first interaction between the central leadership and mainstream parties since August 5, 2019, when the Centre revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370 and bifurcated it into union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

    The four former chief ministers of the erstwhile state who participated in the discussions were Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah of the National Conference, Congress’ Ghulam Nabi Azad and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti.

    Four former deputy chief ministers were in attendance too – Congress’ Tara Chand, People’s Conference leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig and BJP’s Nirmal Singh and Kavinder Gupta.

    CPI-M leader Mohammed Yusuf Tarigami, Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) chief Altaf Bukhari, Sajjad Lone of the People’s Conference, J-K Congress head G A Mir, BJP’s Ravinder Raina and Panthers Party leader Bhim Singh also formed part of the delegation.

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha, and Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh were in attendance too.

    Today’s dialogue came seven months after the District Development Council (DDC) elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

  • Snatching away Kashmir’s statehood, vaccine issue brought shame to India: Mamata

    Banerjee made the comment in the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modis meeting with leaders of various political parties of Jammu and Kashmir in New Delhi.

  • Restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood must to rebuild trust: Farooq urges PM

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: National Conference president and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to work towards building trust in Jammu and Kashmir by ensuring that its full statehood is restored.

    Talking to PTI immediately after a crucial meeting chaired by the prime minister here, Abdullah said his National Conference would continue to challenge through legal and constitutional means the abrogation of special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution.

    “There is a loss of trust which needs to be restored immediately and for that, to begin with, the Centre should work for restoration of complete statehood to Jammu and Kashmir,” Abdullah, who is a Lok Sabha member, said.

    “I conveyed to the prime minister that the statehood means reverting even the IAS and IPS cadres of Jammu and Kashmir. The state has to be in totality,” he said after the meeting that lasted for over three hours.

    The NC chief, who was accompanied by his son and former chief minister Omar Abdullah, said it was vital for the Centre to restore the identity of Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest so that other democratic exercises could be carried forward.

  • PM meets J&K political leadership in Delhi to chalk out future course of action

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: In the government’s first outreach to Jammu and Kashmir’s political leadership in almost two years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held a crucial meeting with 14 leaders, including four former chief ministers, to chalk out the future course of action in the union territory.

    The prime minister, accompanied by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha, received the leaders from eight parties, including the National Conference, the PDP, the BJP and the Congress, at his residence.

    This is the first interaction between the Central leadership and the mainstream parties since August 5, 2019, when the Centre revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370 and bifurcated it into two union territories, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

    Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister P K Mishra and Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla were among those who attended the meeting.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds meeting with Jammu and Kashmir leaders in Delhi pic.twitter.com/Mga0TmnORz
    — ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2021

    The four former chief ministers of the erstwhile state who participated in the discussions were Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah of the National Conference, Congress’ Ghulam Nabi Azad and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti.

    Four former deputy chief ministers were in attendance too – Congress’ Tara Chand, People’s Conference leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig and BJP’s Nirmal Singh and Kavinder Gupta.

    CPI-M leader Mohammed Yusuf Tarigami, Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) chief Altaf Bukhari, Sajjad Lone of the People’s Conference, J-K Congress head G A Mir, BJP’s Ravinder Raina and Panthers Party leader Bhim Singh also formed part of the delegation.

    “I will keep my agenda in the meeting and then talk to you,” Farooq Abdullah said before the meeting started.

    Asked about PDP chief Mehbooba’s comments that India should initiate dialogue with Pakistan, the NC leader said, “Mehbooba ji is the president of her party. She has the right to speak. I have my own. I don’t want to bring in Pakistan. I am going to talk to our own prime minister.” “If India can talk to the Taliban in Doha (Qatar), why not Pakistan,” Mehbooba had said earlier.

    With no agenda announced for the meeting, the leaders from Jammu and Kashmir said they have come with an open mind.

    “We have not been given an agenda. We will be attending the meeting to know what the Centre is offering,” said Tarigami, who is also spokesperson of the six-party People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) that was formed in the aftermath of the August 2019 decisions.

    Officials said the Centre is keen on holding assembly elections in the union territory as early as possible, maybe in December this year or March 2022 after the Delimitation Commission headed by Justice (retd) Ranjana Desai completes its task of redrawing constituencies in the next few months.

    The Commission was granted one year’s extension in March this year.

    BJP’s Jammu and Kashmir unit president Raina said Thursday’s interaction convened by the prime minister is in accordance with the wishes of heads of various political parties who have been seeking time from him for a long time.

    The meeting seems to be the result of the back-channel talks held with all the parties from the union territory to chart out a roadmap.

    The Union Home Minister, while tabling the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill 2019 in Parliament, had given an assurance that the Centre would grant full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir at an appropriate time.

    Today’s dialogue comes seven months after the District Development Council (DDC) elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

    The PAGD had surged ahead of the BJP and its allies, including the JKAP, by bagging 110 seats out of 280 with the National Conference emerging stronger with 67 seats within the alliance.

    The BJP was the single largest party with 75 seats.

    Jammu and Kashmir’s political mainstream, especially those with a strong base in the Valley, has been critical of successive administrations of the union territory for allegedly neglecting the demands of the people.

    It has raised questions on development initiatives since August 2019.

    Several leaders, including the Abdullahs and Mehbooba, were detained after the August 2019 decisions.

  • PM Modi’s meeting with 14 Jammu and Kashmir leaders begins in New Delhi

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: A crucial meeting to chalk out the future political course of action in Jammu and Kashmir, convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, began on Thursday with the attendance of 14 leaders, including four former chief ministers.

    The meeting is the first between the Centre and mainstream Jammu and Kashmir politicians after the abrogation of Article 370 and the division of the erstwhile state into two union territories in August 2019.

    Besides the prime minister, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval attended the meeting.

    The four former chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir who attended the meeting are Farooq Abdullah, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti.

    ALSO READ | PM Modi to meet 14 J&K leaders in Delhi on June 24; first since abrogation of Article 370

    With no agenda announced for the meeting, the leaders from Jammu and Kashmir said they have come with an open mind.

    “We have not been given an agenda. We will be attending the meeting to know what the Centre is offering,” said CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, who is also a spokesman of the six-party People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD).

    Tarigami is among the 14 Jammu and Kashmir leaders invited to the all-party meeting at the prime minister’s residence.

    P K Mishra, the principal secretary to the prime minister, and Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla are among those who attended the meeting.

  • Most leaders invited for PM’s Thursday meet on J&K reach Delhi

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI/SRINAGAR: Most of the 14 leaders including four ex-chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir invited for an all-party meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the union territory on June 24 have arrived here by Wednesday evening.

    The Thursday’s meeting will be the first between the Centre and mainstream Jammu and Kashmir politicians after the abrogation of Article 370 and the divisions of the erstwhile state into two union territories in 2019.

    With no agenda announced for the Thursday meeting, the J&K leaders said they will go with an open mind.

    “We have not been given an agenda. We will be attending the meeting to know what the Centre is offering,” said CPM leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, who is also a spokesman for the six-party People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD).

    Tarigami is among the 14 leaders invited for the all-party meeting convened by Modi.

    Others invited include four former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti.

    The Communist leader said the PAGD will “be out there to protect the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”

    This is the first meeting between Jammu and Kashmir mainstream parties and the prime minister after the Centre revoked the erstwhile state’s special status and carved two union territories out of it in August 2019.

    While the PAGD — a grouping of the National Conference, PDP, CPM, CPI, Awami National Conference and People’s Movement — has decided to attend the meeting, the constituents will be sending their individual representatives as well, indicating the bloc might be having a difference of opinion over the key issue of restoration of special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

    The PAGD was formed with the aim of striving to restore Jammu and Kashmir to its position as it existed before Article 370 was revoked on August 5, 2019.

    The National Conference, meanwhile, continued intra-party interactions and a delegation of Jammu-based leaders headed by Devendra Rana met party president Farooq Abdullah at the latter’s residence here on Wednesday.

    “Our only stand is a single J-K, to maintain its unity and integrity and respecting the wishes and aspirations of the people of J-K,” Rana said.

    He said dialogue and inclusiveness is an important and vital essence of democracy.

    “Any dialogue that can take us out of this morass and can lead to the welfare of the state of J-K and its people, we are all for it,” he said.

    He said the party leaders from Jammu have reposed faith in Abdullah as he is not only the president of the NC, but the tallest leader of J-K.

  • Security situation has improved in J-K, but need to be alert along LoC: Officials

    During the meeting, the officials shared inputs about the LoC and hinterland security situation.