The BJP on Wednesday accused former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah of “creating hype” over Article 35A and trying to divide people on regional and religious basis.
“There is nothing anti-national if any person is defending Article 35A. However Omar is creating hype on Article 35A, when the case of its legality is being heard in Supreme Court. He is trying to divide the people on the regional as well on religion basis,” Jammu and Kashmir BJP spokesperson Virender Gupta said.
Reacting to Abdullah’s statement on Tuesday that defending the Constitution of India, to which Article 35A is integral, cannot be anti-national, Gupta said continuation of the article depends on the judgement of the Supreme Court and “wishes of the people of the country as a whole”.
“Article 35A is against the fundamental rights as defined in Indian Constitution. Permanent resident as defined state constitution is not only against the fundamental rights but is discriminatory against the fair sex. Such laws should not sustain and remain in any civilised country,” he said.
He claimed that people of Jammu and Ladakh regions always opposed Article 35A and Article 370 right from the day of their inception in the Constitution.
“Performance of the present government is far better than the previous government led by Omar. Many-fold development activities took place and are being pursued at present,” he said.
