Rajouri, Aug 29, KNT: Former Chief Minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that defending Article 35A of the Constitution of India cannot be termed anti-national, asserting that the provision is an integral part of the constitutional framework safeguarding the rights of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
Addressing party workers at Darhal in Rajouri district, Abdullah accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of attempting to portray the issue as a religious and regional divide after, he claimed, failing to justify its stance on the matter. He said Article 35A guarantees the distinct identity and dignity of the state’s inhabitants irrespective of religion or caste.
The National Conference leader alleged that efforts to repeal the provision were part of a broader agenda aimed at weakening constitutional safeguards. He maintained that as long as the National Conference remains politically active, the party will resist any move to dilute the special protections granted to the region.
Abdullah also criticized the Peoples Democratic Party, accusing it of aligning with the BJP after the 2014 elections despite campaigning against it. He alleged that successive compromises had enabled the BJP to expand its political footprint in Jammu and Kashmir.
Referring to policy decisions such as the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax and the National Food Security Act, Abdullah claimed these measures had adversely affected the state’s fiscal autonomy and economically weaker sections.
He urged people to remain united and vigilant in safeguarding what he described as constitutional rights and interests of the region, emphasizing communal harmony and unity as essential to overcoming political challenges.
Several senior party leaders including Davinder Rana were present on the occasion. [KNT]
