Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 18: Forum for Peace and Territorial Integrity of State has warned that abrogation of Article 35A will cause instability in Jammu and Kashmir even as some amendments to this clause are welcomed.
“Article 35A is Constitutional provision applied by President of India to J&K State and if this goes by order of the court, consequently all Presidential orders right from 1950 will go,” said Sheikh Abdul Rehman, patron of the Forum while addressing a press conference, here today.
He alleged that a lot of confusion has been created by some vested interests in the State about Article 35A of Indian Constitution and subsequent apprehensions in the minds of people about dilution and fiddling with the same.
“As peace is imperative for any State and society to prosper and progress in all walks of life, we feel it apt to aware the general public about the historical facts that led to inclusion of Article 35A in the Constitution of India,” said I D Khajuria, president of the Forum, while explaining the historic facts, which drove Maharaja Hari Singh to introduce the concept of `State Subject’ for safeguarding the interests of locals of Jammu and Kashmir.
Maintaining that 30 other State like Himachal, Haryana, Punjab etc have certain safeguards for the locals while Article 371 protects rights of Tripura people and in North Eastern States, Domicile Certifi-cates are in vogue, Mr Khajuria cautioned that abrogation of Article 35A will cause more damage to Jammu than any other region.
“Outsiders will prefer to settle in Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur or Reasi rather than in remote or inaccessible areas of Jammu region or Kashmir Valley,” he added.
However, at the same time, the Forum leaders made it clear that they want certain amendments in Article 35A for according due rights to women of the State marrying non-State Subjects, Balmiki community and West Pakistan refugees.
“We are strongly in favour of Federal system in the country where States are vested with more powers for all round growth and prosperity. Those talking to snatch the powers we already have in the shape of Article 370 and 35A, seem against the interests of people of the State and Federal system,” they said.
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