‘If BJP has the guts, let them abrogate Article 370 and then face the consequences’

“BJP has been repeatedly saying that they will abrogate Article 370 and if they have guts, they should and face the consequences,” says Sagar.

He added that it was high time for the present regime to win the hearts of people, but they are repeatedly making controversial statements.

“It is high time for the government of India to talk to all the stakeholders. They should first talk to those (Hurriyat) who are very upset with India and then they should talk to those boys who are picking up arms and later should talk to mainstream politicians,” Sagar Said.

Pertinently, BJP General Secretary (Organization) Ashok Koul on Wednesday had said that the Article 370 has been temporarily kept on hold for the larger good but finally will be abrogated. 

“The statement by the minister in the parliament is for the time being only and for the larger interest. Abrogation of Article 370 is one of the basic goals of our party,” he had stated.

On Tuesday, Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir had said that there is currently no proposal to scrap Article 370 which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Ahir was replying to a written question by BJP MP Ashwini Kumar, who asked whether the government was committed to scrapping Article 370 of the Constitution.

“There is currently no such proposal under consideration of the government,” Ahir said.

While terming the BJP’s assertions that it was committed to eventual abrogation of the Article 370 and was only holding back temporarily for the time being, CPI (M) leader and MLA Kulgam Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said that Article 370 is in the basic structure of Indian Constitution and even if the BJP has full majority in the Parliament, they can’t abrogate it.

He said that the Jammu and Kashmir acceded to India under the guarantees provided by the Constitution of India.

“It is the Constituent Assembly which incorporated Article 370 in the Constitution providing a constitutional basis for the relationship of J&K with the Union. Autonomy has been provided to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution of India and forms the core of the relationship between the state and the Centre,” He said.

Chairman of PDF and MLA Khansahib Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen said that they are betraying people and their agenda is to abrogate Article 370.

He added that if the BJP will abrogate it, they will have to face its consequences.

BJP General Secretary (Organization) Ashok Koul said that they have been saying since the beginning that they will abrogate Article 370.

“We are focusing on the current situation and are determined to improve the situation and will then abrogate Article 370,” Koul said.

He added that the Article should be debated without any bias and people should know its merits and demerits.

“Once people will realize its abrogation has all the merits, they will then automatically want it to be abrogated.

(With inputs from KNS)