Mehbooba Mufti Attacks BJP, Says ‘Amit Shah Won’t be Able Set to Foot in Jammu & Kashmir If Article 370 Revoked’

Srinagar, April 4: The debate over whether Article 370 – giving special provisions given to Jammu and Kashmir – would be revoked after Lok Sabha Elections 2019 or not has gained political momentum on Thursday. People’s Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti attacked Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah by stating that the latter won’t be allowed to set foot in the state if Article 370 is revoked.

Expressing her opinion on amid the political discourse on Article 370, Mufti added that ‘if Article 370 is revoked, India will be an occupational force in Jammu & Kashmir’. She even compared it with Israel which is allegedly an occupational force in Palestine. The PDP chief further added the youth of the Kashmir would give every drop of its blood to fight for their constitutional right. Arun Jaitley Slams Congress, NCP and PDP on Kashmir Issue in New Blog, Says ‘Article 35A Was Surreptitiously Included in Constitution in 1954’

Stating that Shah won’t be able to set foot in Kashmir if Article 370 is revoked, she said, “If Article 370 is revoked, India will be an occupational force in Jammu & Kashmir - like Israel is an occupational force in Palestine. The youth of the state will give every drop of its blood to fight and Amit Shah won’t be able to set foot in the state.”

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It is to be known that BJP has long maintained to bring amendments in Article 370 and Article 35A – which grants special provisions to the valley. On Wednesday too, Shah – while addressing a rally – had said that they broke their alliance with PDP because of the allegations of AFSPA dilution.

Under Article 370 of the Constitution, autonomous status has been given to the Jammu And Kashmir. It is a ‘temporary provision’ which deals with ‘temporary, transitional and special provisions’. Though all the provisions of the Constitution which are applicable to other states are not applicable to J&K.

Except for defence, foreign affairs, finance and communications, Parliament needs the state government’s concurrence for applying all other laws. Also, Article 370 gives the state’s residents to live under a separate set of laws, including those related to citizenship, ownership of property and fundamental rights.

With Article 370 in place, the Centre has no power to declare a financial emergency, unless in case of war or external aggression. Therefore, an emergency cannot be declared on the grounds of internal disturbance or imminent danger unless it is made at the request or with the concurrence of the state government. Other than that, Article 370 restricts Indian citizens from purchasing land or property in the state.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 04, 2019 04:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).