Omar warns against revoking Article 370

[Vishwarupa]

Promoting his party National Conference's coalition with Congress, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday predicted the birth of UPA-3 in 2014 but talked tough against the BJP's election plank of the annulment of Article 370 of the Constitution of India.

Addressing a well-attended public rally after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi flagged off the train service connecting Qazigund and Banihal, Mr Abdullah castigated the BJP for raising the "bogey of Article 370". He said that nobody could weaken or revoke Article 370 granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir and holding bondage between the State and the country.

"BJP has developed a trait to deceive the people on this issue as soon as elections draw nearer. We the people of Jammu and Kashmir categorically tell them that revocation of Article 370 is not possible at all and any attempt by anyone on this sensitive issue would be on our dead bodies", Mr Abdullah asserted. "BJP did never raise this issue in the last six years", he pointed out.

Mr Abdullah challenged BJP to just try an attempt of obliterating Article 370. "You have to do it on our dead bodies", he said, while expecting NC and Congress to jointly contest the BJP's "divisive and communal tactics".

Mr. Abdullah predicted the birth of UPA-3 in the upcoming Lok Sabha election next year. "I am sure Dr Manmohan Singh and Mrs Sonia Gandhi would be here to flag off train on the Banihal-Katra leg, connecting the entire Jammu and Kashmir State to the rest of the country", he said.

The Chief Minister said that the 11 km long tunnel across the Pir Panjal mountain range would bring about a revolutionary change and strengthen the State's physical integration with the rest of India. "It has not only connected the two physically divided regions but also joined hearts", Mr Abdullah said.

Manmohan, Sonia on inaugural joyride

Minutes before addressing a gathering at Banihal, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Ms. Sonia Gandhi flagged off the flower-bedecked train. Surprisingly for the media crews and thousands of their followers, the coalition partners boarded the same train and enjoyed an inaugural joyride through the country's longest railway tunnel from Banihal (Jammu province) to Lavidara, near Qazigund town in Kashmir valley and back.

A number of young students and the state leaders, legislators and Ministers of the NC and Congress, traveled through the 11 Km long tube beneath Pir Panjal mountain range with the Prime Minister's encourage and a thick Special Protection Group security cover.

Governor Narender Nath Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Minister of Railways Mallikarjun Kharge, Union Minister for Health Ghulam Nabi Azad and President of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee Saifuddin Soz were also on board the eight-coach train that significantly reduced the 35 Km distance between Qazigund and Banihal to 18 Kms.

Omar warns against revoking Article 370 - The Hindu

 

[Vishwarupa]

Earlier LK Advani had demanded for revival for article 370 in J&K.

Advani revives demand for repeal of Article 370
BJP had put the issue on back burner as part of its understanding with poll partners

Senior BJP leader L.K. Advani has again raised the demand for abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution which confers special status on Jammu & Kashmir.

In his latest entry on his blog, paying tribute to Jan Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the senior BJP leader wrote, "The country eagerly awaits the day when Art. 370 would be repealed, and the two vidhans also would become one!"

The emphatic tone of Mr. Advani is bound to raise eyebrows as the BJP has kept the demand on Article 370 on the back burner as part of an understanding with its electoral partners in the NDA. The BJP has put on hold three main items on the Hindutva agenda of the party — uniform civil code, construction of Ram temple and special status of Jammu & Kashmir — as a tactical move to bring like-minded parties under the umbrella of the NDA.

In his blog, he noted that the perceived mysterious death of Dr. Mookerjee at a detention centre in J&K while he was leading an agitation for abrogation of Article 370 in June 1953 and its spin-off effects "significantly promoted the process of national integration".

"First and foremost, the permit system was abolished. Until this time, neither the Supreme Court nor the Election Commission nor the Comptroller and Auditor General had any jurisdiction over Jammu and Kashmir State. The authority of these three constitutional bodies was extended to the State."
Advani revives demand for repeal of Article 370 - The Hindu

 

[anoop_mig25]

Good

Now we are sure yuaraj is not going to become PM of india post 2014 elections

Mr. Abdullah predicted the birth of UPA-3 in the upcoming Lok Sabha election next year. "I am sure Dr Manmohan Singh and Mrs Sonia Gandhi would be here to flag off train on the Banihal-Katra leg, connecting the entire Jammu and Kashmir State to the rest of the country", he said.

 

[Vishwarupa]

Why is article 370 not revoked in J&K? By revoking 370 every Indian can settle in J&K & this will change the demographics of J&K which will in turn benefit all. I know by revoking article 370 there will be hartals, violence & armed revolt but how long will this last. We have our armed forces there to control the situation why is our government not doing anything to revoke.

 

[trackwhack]

I will vote for any party that promises to remove article 370. Maybe it won't hurt if it is done over a few dead bodies. Special status for the state has not prevented the accumulation of dead bodies so far.

 

[LordOfTheUnderworlds]

self delete

 

[Dovah]

What is the view of people of Jammu about this article 370? Can it be revoked partially for Jammu region alone? If so, the Mumbai Delhi industrial corridor can be extended to Jammu and a couple of well planned new industrial cities and a university township can be built there so that at least this region gets developed.

If anything Bangalore would a better destination if the DMIC is extended. Big time business is only possible in Kashmir if they allow workforce from other parts of India to settle there. How can you expect an industrialist to start a project with the limited skilled workforce that the region has to offer. Repealing 370 will do good for the state, not for the politicos though.

 

[Vishwarupa]

J&K Article 370 row: Advani hits back at Omar

NEW DELHI: Against the backdrop of Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah slamming him on the issue of revocation of special status to the state, senior BJP leader L K Advani today advised him not to use words like "cheating and deceiving" and clarified that his party has always been opposed to Article 370.

In his latest blog posting, Advani said even the Congress party, other than Jawaharlal Nehru and a few other leaders, were strongly opposed to giving a special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Advani quotes from a biography of Sardar Patel to argue that even he was against Article 370 but kept his views in the background out of his regard for Nehru.

"Omar Abdullah, chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir state, has every right to disagree with the BJP on matters relating to J&K."

"But I would advise him never to use offensive language and words like 'cheating' and 'deceiving' in that context," Advani said on his blog.

Advani had recently said Article 370 should be revoked. Abdullah had responded to this without naming Advani and slammed him for raising the "false boggy of revocation" of the provision.

Holding that it is "highly improper" for anyone to use offensive words like "cheating" in the context of BJP's stand on J&K, Advani said his party has "not only been unequivocal, forthright and consistent from the time Jana Sangh (BJP's predecessor) was born in 1951 till today, but it is an issue for which the party's founder-president laid down his own life".

Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, who founded the Jana Sangh was arrested in Jammu and Kashmir in 1952 when he tried to enter the state without a permit which was required then to go to there.

He died, allegedly under mysterious circumstances during his incarceration.

"Since our very first all India session at Kanpur, we have been championing complete integration of J&K State with India," Advani said.
J&K Article 370 row: Advani hits back at Omar - The Times of India

I feel its a good start atleast someone is talking about revoking article 370 in JK. homogeneous nature is the root cause of problems in J&K, revoke 370 & let other Indians to settle in Kashmir so that there is mix of everybody.

 

[A chauhan]

Well said @Adwani, art 370 must be revoked, and no Indian is going to oppose it except traitors, and that too after kicking Kashmiri Hindu Pundits out of Kashmir !? Never. Thousands of Indian soldiers have sacrificed their lives in 4 wars with Pakistan for Kashmir, we wont let go their sacrifice in vein and wont let Islamic separatism win.

 

[arya]

well he is helping them who are killing Kashmiri , its our bad luck we dont had a true pm

 

[sayareakd]

Well said @Adwani, art 370 must be revoked, and no Indian is going to oppose it except traitors, and that too after kicking Kashmiri Hindu Pundits out of Kashmir !? Never. Thousands of Indian soldiers have sacrificed their lives in 4 wars with Pakistan for Kashmir, we wont let go their sacrifice in vein and wont let Islamic separatism win.

AC bhai have you read Article 2 of the Consti ?

Article 2 in The Constitution Of India 1949
2. Admission or establishment of new States: Parliament may by law admit into the Union, or establish, new States on such terms and conditions, as it thinks fit

they are admitted with giving special status to them. It was approved by Parliament of India. That is why Article 370.

 

[arya]

AC bhai have you read Article 2 of the Consti ?



they are admitted with giving special status to them. It was approved by Parliament of India. That is why Article 370.

well sir parliament can change it in future , dont you think so .

problem is that every Indian is busy they dont have time for nation

 

[A chauhan]

AC bhai have you read Article 2 of the Consti ?

they are admitted with giving special status to them. It was approved by Parliament of India. That is why Article 370.

Saya bro, Indian constitution is not Quran, I think each and every line of it can be amended at the appropriate time and circumstances but the process is not easy. However I was not talking about legal possibilities of doing so but about the necessity.

 

[Singh]

Removal of Article 370 just cannot be implemented on someone's whim. And should be done at an apt time, when the protests shall be minimal and support maximum,

My suggestion is very simple: Divide J&K into three administrative zones.

In Jammu and Ladakh region hold referendums, they will overwhelming vote against Independence or Ascension to Pakistan and for joining the Union. Then incorporate them into separate states or UTs. (Something Pak has done with PoK - AK and GB)

Then tell the Kashmiri separatists, look Kashmir Valley is too small for certain provisions of Article 370, then dilute them. And then play a game of patience.

 

[Sridhar]

Article 370 has done no good to people: Gupta

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 27: Former Union Minister and Member Legislative Assembly (MLA), Prof Chaman Lal Gupta has deplored the use of the official visit of the Prime Minister for raising highly controversial issues like that of strengthening the Article 370 and keeping silence over the activities of secessionists and semi–separatists.
Prof Gupta said that canards were being spread that Article 370 is linked with the Accession of the State of J&K with Indian Union and it is bridge between J&K and rest of the country.
He pointed out that in October, 1949, after two years of the accession, this Article was adopted. The Maharaja of the State, had signed the same instrument of accession which was signed by about 558 Princes and Nawabs of country. It is wrong to link Article 370 with accession and term this as a bridge, he added.
Prof Gupta said that the Article 370 has done no good to the people of the State. This is not only against the interests of unity of the country but also has harmed the interests of the people of the State in so many ways, he added.


He said that this obnoxious provision has breeded secessionism, terrorism and provided opportunity to the ruling clan to play havoc with democratic rights of the people.
He maintained that in addition to secessionism this Article has come to be a hurdle in the growth of industrial sector which is resulting in unemployment, backwardness and so many other problems.
Those who are advocating separate status and retention of Article 370 are doing no good to the people and they are trying to cover up their own failures. They are trying to raise emotional and secessionists/ semi-secessionist slogans to serve their ends, he alleged.

DAILY EXCELSIOR

 

[Poseidon]

The time right now is not good for removing article 370.We could return to the situation of 1989-1990 if it is removed.
Also with US withdrawing from Afghanistan, ISI might use the pretext of article 370 to create another proxy war.

So removal of article 370 might become like the rigging of 1987 J&K elections(which acted as the trigger for violence).

 

[Singh]

Incorporation of Article 370, signaled our desire to work out issues democratically, legally and in the right spirit.

We could've invaded Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Nepal and conquered them but this is not what our ethos is.

We want to be a leader and a voice of responsibility and restraint.

India as a state, is in for the long haul. Indian nation has existed since records exist, and will continue to exist. Kashmir issue is just a small blimp in our timeline.

 

[LalTopi]

Removal of Article 370 just cannot be implemented on someone's whim. And should be done at an apt time, when the protests shall be minimal and support maximum,

My suggestion is very simple: Divide J&K into three administrative zones.

In Jammu and Ladakh region hold referendums, they will overwhelming vote against Independence or Ascension to Pakistan and for joining the Union. Then incorporate them into separate states or UTs. (Something Pak has done with PoK - AK and GB)

Then tell the Kashmiri separatists, look Kashmir Valley is too small for certain provisions of Article 370, then dilute them. And then play a game of patience.

But what about the Kashmir valley? will they get a referendum? if they vote for independence then surely that will give the Pakistanis the international propaganda coup and legitimacy that they seek. Better to take the bull by the horns and revoke article 370 - sure it will lead to an increase in short to medium term violence, but this can be managed and the longer term will reap benefits.

 

[Singh]

But what about the Kashmir valley? will they get a referendum? if they vote for independence then surely that will give the Pakistanis the international propaganda coup and legitimacy that they seek. Better to take the bull by the horns and revoke article 370 - sure it will lead to an increase in short to medium term violence, but this can be managed and the longer term will reap benefits.

We will hold a referendum when the time suits us. Patience. It might take a few years or decades or a century. We are in no hurry.

 

[TrueSpirit]

Removal of Article 370 just cannot be implemented on someone's whim. And should be done at an apt time, when the protests shall be minimal and support maximum,

My suggestion is very simple: Divide J&K into three administrative zones.

In Jammu and Ladakh region hold referendums, they will overwhelming vote against Independence or Ascension to Pakistan and for joining the Union. Then incorporate them into separate states or UTs. (Something Pak has done with PoK - AK and GB)

Then tell the Kashmiri separatists, look Kashmir Valley is too small for certain provisions of Article 370, then dilute them. And then play a game of patience.

This has been a very popular view in our security establishment as well, but somehow, our policymakers consider this to be too naive an idea, whose implementation on ground would lead to massive exodus of sorts (only in their dreams), widespread violence & marked discontentment among native populace.

I read some articles in the past (maybe in Frontline, The Hindu & Hindustan times, etc.) which trashed this very idea as "surest recipe for disaster" & all sorts of adjectives. They tried to paint this as Partition part-2 sort of stuff. Those were the days when GoI was very gung-ho in reconciliation with various factions of APHC & other secessionist groups.

I am hearing of this notion now, after a very long gap. I support it, out & out. Implementation details, though, have to be worked out with pragmatism & a grounded vision.