Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 20: Universal Foundation organised a seminar on “Impact of Article 370 on J&K” here today.
BJP national spokesperson and Supreme Court lawyer Meenakshi Lekhi, who was invited by organizers to express her views spoke about the various provisions of the Constitution of India which are not applicable to J&K due to Article 370.
Lekhi spoke about Article 35-A of the Constitution which was added on May 14, 1954, under a Presidential Order. Under this Article, successive State Governments have formulated laws which, under the garb of enabling J&K citizens, actually dis-empower and disable Indian citizens living with the State of J&K.
She referred to the J&K Permanent Resident (Disqualification) Bill, 2004, which was passed in the Legislative Assembly on March 5, but could not be passed in the Legislative Council.
Universal Foundation president Dineshwar Jamwal pointed out that the STs do not have any political reservation in the State Legislature as also the Lok Sabha due to Article 370.
National Conference MLC and provincial president Devender Singh Rana stoutly defended Article 370 terming it something that defines the relationship between J&K with India.
He quoted the State Subject laws to buttress his point about the utility of Article 370 for the State and its citizens. He said it will be an unfortunate day if the State subject laws are diluted as it will reduce the locals to a State of starvation.
He said that he is defending the State subject laws because if people from all over India start arriving here, there will be no roofs over the heads of the common citizens of J&K.
About West Pakistan refugees, Rana said that Article 370 does not impact them in any way.
He said that tampering with Article 370 will dis-empower the people of J&K.
Jammu University teacher Seema Nargotra spoke passionately about how the West Pakistan refugees have been deprived of all their rights due to Article 35-A which has been incorporated under Article 370.
She said it is unfortunate that the women of the State have far less rights than their male counterparts.
Journalist Sant Kumar Sharma said that Article 35-A is a constitutional fraud committed on the country under Article 370.
Earlier, Dewakar Sharma, a member of the Universal Foundation presented the welcome address, whereas in the end, Dr Vinod Sharma of the Foundation presented vote of thanks.
Mahesh Kaul conducted the proceedings of the seminar.
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