Opposition legislators stage a protest over the Article 370 restoration resolution in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, in Srinagar.
Credit: PTI Photo
New Delhi: The BJP on Thursday fielded senior leader Smriti Irani to reiterate that the Modi government will never roll back the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. The former Union minister, speaking on the ruckus in the J&K Assembly where a poster supporting Article 370 was shown by Khurshid Ahmad Shaikh, accused the I.N.D.I.A. bloc of showing “tactical support” to extremists.
“Today, I stand as an Indian outraged at the attempt by the Congress-led I.N.D.I. Alliance to bring to the floor of the House a resolution that is against the Indian Constitution; a resolution that stands against the Indian Constitution and the opinion of the Supreme Court of India,” Irani said at a press conference held at the BJP party headquarters.
The J&K Assembly saw disruptions when Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) MLA Khurshid Ahmad Sheikh, who is the brother of Engineer Rashid, displayed a banner supporting Article 370. The Assembly also passed a resolution on Wednesday seeking the “restoration of special status and constitutional guarantees”, while tiptoeing on the issue of abrogation.
The resolution was moved by J&K Deputy CM and National Conference (NC) leader Surinder Choudhary. The members of the BJP, outraged over the resolution, tore copies of it and stormed into the Well of the House.
Irani questioned the intent behind the resolution. “This resolution brings to the fore many questions – does it stand against the rights of Dalits, tribals, children and women? The Congress leadership, particularly the Gandhi family, needs to answer – do they stand for terrorism and stand against the development of J&K? Do they stand against the Constitution of India?,” Irani questioned.
She asserted that the abrogation of Article 370 will never be rolled back. “Through the BJP workers, I want to assure citizens of India and tell leaders of the I.N.D.I. Alliance that Article 370 will not be restored and their attempt to separate J&K from India will not be successful,” Irani said.