Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 5: Communist Party of India (M), Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust and other organizations have support continuation of Art 35-A in the J&K state while some people in Kishtwar held protest and observed bandh in protest against some attempts being made by certain quarters to dilute Article 35-A.
In Jammu, Regional Committee of CPI (M) was held today in its office chamber under the chairmanship of Sham Prasad Kesar Regional secretary. The members during meeting said that any attempt to tinker with Art 35 A would prove disastrous. It will affect the relations of the State with the Union of India.
Kesar urged upon the Centre to file a strong counter affidavit in the apex court to defend the Article 35-A in the larger national interest. “Keeping in view the sensitivities of Jammu & Kashmir, it becomes imperative for the political leadership of the country to exhibit maturity and ensure already tense situation in the state,” Kesar said.
He said there is need to create awareness among the people of Jammu and Ladakh regions about the consequences of 35-A in the State.
On the call of Joint Resistance Leadership (JRS) of Kashmir, Kishtwar town observed partial shutdown amid fears that Article 35A, which bars outsiders from owning property or getting jobs in the restive state, will be repealed when the Supreme Court hears a petition on Monday.
The two days shutdown is being observed on the call given by Anjuman-e-Islamia Bhadarwah and Majlis-e-Shoura Kishtwar to show solidarity with JRL of Kashmir and to lodge their protest against any move to temper or revoke Article 35A.
The shops and other business establishments of particular community remained closed, however, traffic was plied on the roads as usual.
Anjuman-e-Islamia and Majlis-e-Shoura have come together with separatists and political parties amid fears that the BJP is planning to revoke the provision in an attempt to change the State’s demography.
Officials aware of the developments said that Governor NN Vohra had sought a deferment of the hearing and has taken up the issue with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. He has urged the Centre to defer the hearing until an elected government is back in the State.
While Article 370 of the Constitution grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Article 35A gives special rights to Jammu and Kashmir’s permanent residents.
Meanwhile Security forces were put on high alert as extra columns of Police, JKAP and CRPF was deployed at all the sensitive places of Bhadarwah and Kishtwar to thwart any untoward incident.
Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust, an NGO associated with the welfare of Gurjars in the State in a meeting held here today under the chairmanship of Ch Abdul Hamid expressed serious concern over the efforts of some quarters to quash Art 35-A. The members reiterated their pledge for safeguarding this Article for maintaining distinct character of the Jammu and Kashmir state. Ch Hanief Chouhan, Ch Haji Allah Rahim, Ch Bashir Ahmed, Ch Mohd Yousuf and others also spoke on the occasion. Meanwhile, prominent Gujjar leader from Poonch Shamsheer Hakla Poonchi today said that Gujjar and Bakarwals of the State fully support the continuation of Article 35-A of the Indian Constitution-special provision for the state.
In a press statement, Hakla said that in J&K, excluding Leh and Kargil districts , Gujjar-Bakarwal can be found in 20 districts. He said that the needs and problems of Gujjars-Bakarwals are quite different from other communities of the state. Language and culture of this community is also different. This community mostly resides in far-flung, hilly, mountainous areas near the forests and on the Indo-Pak border /Line of Control. They fully support 35-A in the State.
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