RSS general-secretary Suresh 'Bhaiyyaji' Joshi said on Tuesday that there was nothing wrong with the way provisions of Article 370 were scrapped, and the Rajya Sabha chairman can make exception to rules in "national interest".
Removing Article 370 was necessary for Kashmir's development and therefore the Centre set aside "conventional ways" to repeal it, he said here.
He was answering questions from reporters on the criticism of the way the bill to bifurcate Jammu and Kashmir and resolution to withdraw special status for the state were passed in Rajya Sabha.
"I do not think the Centre has done anything wrong in the way Article 370 has been abrogated," the senior RSS leader said.
"Chairman of Rajya Sabha has some rights and he can permit discussions on some issues which are in the national interest in his own powers.
"There is a rule that a bill should be circulated among the members before discussing it in Parliament, but considering national interest, it is not mandatory on the chairman to abide by the rules," Joshi said.
More From This Section
"He has the right (to decide how to conduct proceedings) and he has exercised it," he said.
Asked why the opinion of the people of Jammu and Kashmir was not sought, Joshi said, "In my opinion, this government has taken the decision to abrogate Article 370 within the constitutional framework. Because Article 370 was temporary since its introduction.
"Unless and until Jammu and Kashmir citizens do not become part of India, how will they and their state progress. Question should be asked why the state has not progressed," said the RSS general secretary.
He also said that as Article 370 was "temporary", industries could not be expected to make investment there.
"To create more jobs in Kashmir, it was highly necessary to remove the Article 370," he said.
"I feel it was necessary for the development of Kashmiri people. Hence the Centre has set aside the conventional ways to address the issue and taken the decision within the constitutional framework," Joshi added.
Asked how the Centre would communicate the decision to the Kashmiri people and whether the RSS would play any role in it, Joshi said, "I cannot say anything about our role there, but those who have taken this decision would have certainly thought of their communication strategy."
"Fundamentally it was a mistake to make the temporary Article 370. There was no need to offer separate rights to Jammu and Kashmir. (Late Jan Sangh leader) Syama Prasad Mookerjee had then opposed it," the RSS leader said.
"Kashmir had become part of India under the leadership of then king Raja Harisinh, but Article 370 was introduced in 1954. More disappointing decision was attaching Article 35-A without clearing it through Parliament," Joshi said.
The Kashmiri people suffered a lot due to this decision for so many years, he added.
Commenting on some political parties supporting the BJP-led NDA government's decision on Article 370, the RSS leader said, "The consensus was building up above party lines. It should have been cleared unanimously but we still welcome the support extended by other small political parties."
Asked about some Congress leaders too supporting the decision, Joshi said, "They seem to have chosen nation over their party line....I believe even the Kashmiri people will feel more free when they learn about the decision. This decision would not have been possible without the support of the Kashmiri people."
Asked whether similar steps would be taken regarding the Ayodhya issue, Joshi said, "Supreme Court has already decided to resolve the case and conduct the hearing daily. We can wait for some time.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content