Asaduddin Owaisi on Article 370 Abrogation: Modi Government Fulfilled Electoral Promise But Betrayed on Constitutional Promise

New Delhi, August 6: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday opposed the Modi government's move to withdraw the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370, calling it a discriminatory step. Speaking in Lok Sabha, Asaduddin Owaisi said the Modi government fulfilled its electoral promise by diluting Article 370 but betrayed people on the constitutional promise.

"I stand to oppose the bill. Definitely, BJP has lived up to the electoral promise in their manifesto, but you have not lived up to your constitutional duties. You've indulged in breach of a constitutional promise," Owaisi said in the lower house of Parliament. The AIMIM parliamentarian also questioned the government's move of imposing curfew in Jammu and Kashmir and placing leaders under house arrest. Jammu and Kashmir Order 2019: Read Full Text of Modi Government's Notification on Article 370 And Article 35A.

"Your MPs are saying this is Diwali. Then why not let all Kashmiris come out and celebrate," Owaisi said. "What will happen on Eid? Eid is on Monday. Are you assuming that Kashmiris instead of sacrificing lamb should sacrifice themselves? If you want that I'm sure they'll do that, they've been doing that," he added. The Hyderabad MP termed the repealing of Article 370 as "third historic mistake". Jammu and Kashmir Loses Privileges Under Article 370, Article 35A: What Does it Mean For Kashmiris and Other Indians?

Owaisi said the arrest of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Sheikh Abdullah in 1953 by the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru government and the alleged rigging of 1987 assembly election in the state as the other two historic mistakes.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 06, 2019 06:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).