Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Article 35 A was “reassuring”.
MP and NC president Farooq Abdullah had sought an audience with Modi after panic gripped Kashmir over rumours about the Centre's decision to abrogate Article 35A and Article 370 of the Constitution.
Rumours about the abrogation of Article 35A gained steam after the Centre airlifted 100 companies (10,000 personnel) of additional Central forces to Kashmir days after National Security Adviser Ajit Doval visited the valley last week.
A string of government orders asking police and railway protection force (RPF) to gear up for possible deterioration of law and order in Kashmir and stock food, water and riot fighting weapons, strengthened fears that something was in the offing regarding Article 35A.
The NC delegation comprised Farooq, Omar, and party MP from Anantnag, Hasnain Masoodi.
Omar told THE WEEK that the meeting with the prime minister “went well”. “Reassuring? Yes, seems to be. It took place in a very good environment and was very reassuring,’’ he said. “So, let’s see. We are hoping for the best.’’
He said he would be meeting a few more people in Delhi on Thursday and Friday. “Dr. Sahab will return to Srinagar today.’’
Article 35A, which flows from Article 370 of the Constitution that guarantees special status to Jammu and Kashmir, bars outsiders from buying land, seeking government jobs in the state and participating in assembly elections.
The BJP and the RSS are opposed to the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and have called Article 35 A and Article 370 as discriminatory and an irritant against J&K's proper integration with India.
Several petitioners have challenged Article 35A in the Supreme Court including a right-wing backed NGO and West Pakistan Refugees living in Jammu on the contention that the article violates the fundamental right of Indian citizen from settling in Kashmir. The petitioners have argued that the article should be struck down as it was not approved by the parliament and was a mere Presidential order.
Talking to media in New Delhi after the meeting, Omar said that they requested the prime minister not to take any precipitous step that may lead to the worsening of the situation. He said they told him that sub judice matters should be dealt by the court and others by an elected government.
