NC trying to create fear psychosis over Article 35A: BJP
Reacting to a statement by Jammu provincial president of the National Conference Davendra Rana, the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) today accused the party of trying to create a “fear psychosis” among the people of Jammu over the issue of Article 35A.
The saffron party alleged that the NC was responsible for promoting “majoritarianism” at the cost of minorities in the state.
The article 35 A defines the residency laws in Jammu and Kashmir and bars outsiders from buying any immovable property or applying for jobs in the state government.
“We are taking a serious note of the statement…he (Rana) tried to create a scary picture of the ill-effects on the people of Jammu region if Article 35A is held illegal by the Supreme Court. He is creating a fear psychosis,” BJP state spokesperson Anil Gupta said.
“His (Rana) statement that Jammu will be affected far more than Kashmir since no outsider will like to settle there but will flock in hordes to settle in Jammu clearly indicates the mindset of his party that has always advocated politics of exclusion,” he said.
It is a direct attack on the composite culture and communal tolerance of the people of Jammu, the BJP spokesman said.
The Supreme Court had last month asked the Centre to file a reply within three weeks to a writ petition filed by an NGO seeking that Article 35A be struck down.
Earlier, Provincial President of National Conference, Jammu, Devinder Singh Rana Saturday said that people of Jammu should be given a chance to decided whether to abrogate Article 35-A or not.
“Jammu Dogras would be main sufferers if Article 35-A is abrogated. The people of Jammu should be given a chance to hold a referendum so that they can decide whether to abrogate Article 35-A or not,” Rana told media during a press conference.
KV Correspondent
