SRINAGAR, (PTK): The Supreme Court’s hearing on revocation of the Article 35A that grants special status to the people of Jammu and Kashmir has once instilled fear in the valley. The hearing is scheduled between February 25 – February 28 .
Tinkering with the Article has been termed as a political strategy by the Centre to change the demography of the state by undermining the concerns of the indigenous population .
Lok Sabha Elections are around the corner. This is clearly undermining the fears and apprehensions of the Kashmiri people. If we’ll see it through the eyes of BJP , it’s revocation may help them to win support of people in upcoming elections .
The fate of Article 35A will not change the Valley’s sentiments towards New Delhi. Everyone knows its revocation may cause a worst uprising in Kashmir.
Article 370 and Article 35A have been a contentious issue ever since the state of Jammu and Kashmir was formally included in the Republic of India.
What is Article 35A?
After partition in 1947, Kashmir was torn between two newly-formed countries- India and Pakistan. After a long period of uncertainty and political turmoil, Jawaharlal Nehru struck a deal with Maharaja of Kashmir, Hari Singh. The instrument of accession signed between Singh and Nehru was the start of negotiating Kashmir’s relation with India.
Later in 1949, Article 370 was included in the constitution after deliberations between Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, an essential figure in Kashmir politics, and Nehru. Article 370 defines Kashmir’s political relationship with New Delhi by granting special status to J&K. It restricts Centre’s legislative powers over defence, foreign affairs, and communications.
In 1954, through a presidential order passed the then President Rajendra Prasad Article 35A was issued under Article 370 (1) (d) of the Constitution. The article accords special rights and privileges of the ‘permanent residents’ of the Kashmir in government jobs, land acquisition and other public welfare projects.
Significance of Article 35 – For Kashmir
SC is currently hearing the petition filed by NGO, We the Citizens, that challenges the validity of both Article 35A and Article 370. According to the petition, Article 35A is against the “very spirit of oneness of India” and creates a “class within a class of Indian citizens”.
However, for the residents of Kashmir, Article 370 and 35A are two planks on which the state can negotiate its autonomy with the Centre. Over the years, especially after the enforcement of AFSPA and PSA, the valley has been sceptical of New Delhi’s . The repeated atrocities of the armies and Centre’s meddling with the regional issue has further alienated the Kashmiris from India.
It is further argued that the revocation of the Article 35A will trigger a large-scale incursion of big industrialists and people from other other states.
Fear in Kashmir – since Friday
Tension mounted in Kashmir on Saturday as police came down heavily on separatists and detained over 150 people, mainly from the Jamaat-e-Islami, ahead of Monday’s hearing in the Supreme Court on Article 35A of the Constitution .
Medical officer were asked to collect medical supplies on Sunday. Additional 100 companies of paramilitary forces were sent to valley and were airlifted.
Orders issued by some government departments added to the fears of the people. The government medical college in Srinagar cancelled winter vacation of its faculty members and directed them to positively report for work on Monday.
With arrests , deployment of forces and emergency like situation , the situation kept worsening and the rumours kept increasing .
Heightened tension was palpable and people were seen in groups on streets even as security was tightened in the Valley.
While authorities asked people not to fall prey of such rumours , governor termed the rumours false .
Police termed the nocturnal raids as a part of election process and said such raids will continue .
The department of food, civil supplies and consumer affairs, which provides ration to people through its outlets, has directed its staff in south Srinagar to ensure completing sale of food grains in their respective areas by Saturday evening.
They were also directed to keep ration depots and sale outlets open on Sunday as well.
The sound of frequent flying of fighter jets since Friday added to the worries of the residents due to simmering Indo-Pakistan tension following the Pulwama suicide car bomb attack. (PTK)
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