The opposition National Conference (NC) today asked the BJP to make the people of the state understand that how repealing Article 35A would benefit the Dogras and safeguard their interests.
NC provincial chief Devender Singh Rana also asked the BJP not to indulge in jingoism, saying the BJP must realise that the fall out of removing this constitutional provision, which is detrimental to overall interests of the state in general and the people of Jammu in particular," he said adding that posterity will never forgive the BJP if Article 35A is tampered with.
"The apprehensions of the jobs going to outside youth and businesses getting usurped by affluent traders are as graveas they were 90 years ago when the Maharaja Sahib was constrained to bring the law," he said, adding that the Article35-A may be anything but not-anti-national, as it formsimportant ingredient of the Constitution of India.
In fact, this Act endorses the wisdom of the Maharaja and his far-sight which is reflected in the presidential order of 1954.
He termed the Act as religious neutral, regional, neutral and caste neutral, saying its applicability is more relevant for the Jammu region than the other two regions of Kashmir and Ladakh.
The chances of non-state subjects making their way to Jammu are more likely because of its proximity to other parts of the country and conduciveness in terms of security cenario, culture, topography and terrain.
Rana also warned against any move that will not be in the interests of the Dogras-Mahajan Biradari, Brahmins, Rajputs, Khatris, Dogra Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Scheduled Caste and other segments of the society.
He expressed hope that the BJP would gauge the popular sentiment against repealing of Article 35-A and start course correction by rising above politics and joining saner voices of protecting and safeguarding the state subject laws.
"Protecting Article 35-A is saving the proud Dogra heritage and culture," he said, adding that the NC will take its crusade in this regard to logical conclusion.
Citing the background of the enactment of permanent residence laws in 1927, he said that the Dogra Maharaja Hari Singh had sagaciously acted upon the representation of Dogra Pratinidhi Sabha and Kashmiri Pandit Sabha, keeping in view the threat of outside domination over the poor subjects of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
He said the BJP cannot deprive the Dogras of the great legacy of their Maharja.
He questioned the silence of the BJP led NDA at the Centre in remaining mute spectator to the case pending before the Supreme Court notwithstanding such pleas being rejected twice on merit by the apex court in the past.
"What has changed in the past three years that the Centre is acting against the wishes of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially at a time when the state is passing through a most difficult phase of its history," Rana said, asking the BJP to explain the compelling circumstances and convincing the people of Jammu, who are major stakeholders of retaining Article 35A.
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