Malik leads Art 35A stir
Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik on Friday led a peaceful protest march here in support of Article 35A which has been challenged in the Supreme Court.
Article 35A was promulgated on May 14, 1954 by a presidential order, giving the Jammu and Kashmir legislature the power to define residents of the state and also their privileges.
The validity of the article has been challenged in the Supreme Court. The petition seeking abrogation of Article 35A is listed for hearing on August 6 in the apex court.
“We are ready to defend Article 35A with our blood,” Malik told reporters.
Meanwhile, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said fiddling with the state’s special status would have “catastrophic ramifications”
SRINAGAR:
for the entire country.
The separatists have called for a two-day strike on Aug 5 and Aug 6 over the issue.
All the mainstream parties in the J&K, except BJP, have openly come out in support of the Article 35 A, while BJP leaders say that they will abide by the court decision. J&K Pradesh Congress, president Ghulam Ahmad Mir told Hindustan Times that Congress party is for further strengthening of Article 370 and 35A. Tanvir Sadiq, senior National Conference leader and political secretary to former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, Omar Abdullah said the removal of this article will harm people of Ladakh and Jammu as it will allow the outsiders to buy land here.
The PDP, NC has been changing statements, but we will abide by the decision of the court,’ BJP general secretary, Ashok Kaul said.