Excelsior Correspondent
JAIPUR, Mar 16: Chief patron of JKNPP Prof Bhim Singh today said that Amendment in Article 370 is the only solution to strengthen relations between the Centre and the J&K State.
While addressing a historic conclave at Jaipur in Rajasthan, organized by Rajasthan Patrika Group of Publications, Prof Singh warned the power hungry politicians, political parties and so called intellectuals to stop misleading the nation on the real face of Article 370. He wondered that leading jurists namely M/s Ram Jethmalani, Kuldeep Nayar, Justice Sachar and others have been arguing through to protect the Article 370 calling it as a bridge between the Centre and the State.
Prof Singh questioned all such intellectuals whether Parliament of India has any power to amend any article or provision in the constitution of India? Whether article 368 empowers the Parliament to amend any provision in the State constitution? He cited that the role of Janata Government in the centre led by Morarji Desai removed a strong provision i.e Right to Property from the chapter of Fundamental rights by amending Article 31 and the Supreme Court of India held in Golak Nath case that the Parliament has every authority to amend any part of the constitution. He reminded the blind supporters of Article 370 that it is the only a temporary provision in the Constitution of India.
The NPP leader reminded that Article 370 was inserted in the constitution in 1950 only to control the ruler of Jammu & Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh. He said Maharaja continued to be a Monarch till August 1952. After the end of Monarchy, Article 370 became infructuous and redundant. Article 370 is a mother of all discrimination, anarchy, chaos and terrorism in the State.
Prof Singh apprised the country and the politicians that presently India is having only 27000 sq. miles of J&K territory when Maharaja had acceded all 84000 sq. miles of entire State’s territory in 1947. The country’s leadership is responsible for the loss of 57000 sq. miles to Pakistan and China. Prof Singh said that there are two aspects of the J&K problem. One is external and needs to be settled with Pakistan and China with full dignity and honour of the entire nation. Secondly, the internal aspect refers to the regional disparity, conflict and political discrimination which have arisen because of the draconian temporary provision in the Article 370. He suggested on behalf the people of Jammu & Kashmir that the solution lies in the ‘Reorganization’ of the State by carving Jammu Pradesh, Kashmir Valley State and Ladakh-Baltistan State which is possible by amending the Article 370 as the President of India is empowered to do so under the same provision.