New Delhi, Dec 20:
The Government today said there was no proposal as of now for abolition of Articles 35A and 370 which give special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
The reply came in response to the question posed by Akali Dal MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa about the status of abolishing Article 35A and Article 370.
“No proposal regarding abolition of Article 35A and Article 370 in respect of Jammu and Kashmir is at present under consideration of the Government,” Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said replying to a written question.
Abrogation of Article 370, that gives autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir, continues to be a part of the core ideology of the ruling BJP, but the party maintains that it does not have enough numbers in Parliament to do away with it.
In case of Section 35A, a writ petition was filed in the Supreme Court by an NGO seeking its abrogation.
The PIL said the Jammu and Kashmir Government, under the guise of Articles 35A and 370, were discriminating against non-residents who are debarred from buying properties, getting a Government job or voting in the local elections.
Article 35A was added to the Constitution by a Presidential order in 1954 and it empowers the State legislature to define the State’s “permanent residents” and their special rights and privileges.
While the Jammu and Kashmir Government contested the petition saying the President had the power to incorporate a new provision in the Constitution by way of an order, the Centre had expressed its reservations.
It filed a reply and requested the Apex Court to refer the matter to a larger bench as constitutional issues were involved in the case.
The matter is currently sub-judice.
Meanwhile, India has issued demarches to both Pakistan and China conveying its position on construction of dams on the Indus river in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) by the Pakistani Government with assistance committed to these projects by China, the Government said today.
Replying to a written question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said India has a clear and consistent position that these territories are illegally occupied by Pakistan and that any collaborative activity there is in violation of India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Accordingly, we have made demarches to both Pakistan and China conveying the position. The Government continues to maintain this position,” Singh said.
Replying to a separate question on China’s ‘One Belt One Road’ (OBOR) initiative, Singh said the Government has clearly articulated its firm belief that connectivity initiatives must be “based on universally recognised international norms, good governance, rule of law…And must be pursued in a manner that respects sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
He also asserted that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is being projected as a flagship project of OBOR initiative, passes through parts of the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir which has been in illegal occupation of Pakistan since 1947.
“The Government has conveyed to the Chinese side, including at the highest level, its concerns about China’s activities in PoK and asked them to cease these activities,” the Minister added.
India has also strongly conveyed its position at multilateral and international fora where issues related to OBOR/CPEC have been raised.
Recently, Russia asked India to find a way out to join OBOR without compromising on its position.
Responding to yet another question, Singh said in view of the significance of the Sino-India relationship, both sides are working towards utilising their bilateral dialogue mechanisms to promote mutually beneficial cooperation, and enhancing communication at all levels in order to build greater trust and understanding.
He also said that both India and China agree that the progress in bilateral relations should be guided by the consensus reached between their leaders, and that at a time of global uncertainty, India-China relations are a factor of stability and the two countries, in their relationship, must not allow differences to become disputes. (PTI)
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