Jammu and Kashmir parties fume over 2 constitutional changes

SRINAGAR: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and president of Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Mehbooba Mufti on Friday accused the Narendra Modi government of making “sinister” moves by using the governor’s office to further dis-empower the state. She said, “This will not be tolerated and the entire state will fight against this criminal and illegal move of government of India.”

The PDP leader was reacting the government’s giving its consent to extension of two Central constitutional amendments to J&K on recommendations of the state’s governor Satya Pal Malik for granting reservation in promotions and reservation for economically-weaker sections of the society.

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister on Thursday had approved the proposal to extend Constitution 77th amendment (reservation in promotion for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) and Constitution 103rd amendment (reservation for economically-weaker sections of society) to J&K.

The concurrence for extending these amendments was given by governor Mr Malik after the State Administrative Council approved the proposal last month.

Jammu and Kashmir is under President’s rule since June 2018.

Some legal and Constitutional experts are of the view that under Article 370 which guarantees special status to J&K, the constitutional amendments can be extended to the state only on concurrence of an elected government and that the governor who is President’s nominee cannot make any such recommendation.

Reacting sharply to the Centre’s move, Ms Mufti asked “Why is Government of India adamant on adding fuel to the fire and letting the situation slip out of control? Why push Kashmiris to the wall?” She said that the PDP is willing to work with likeminded parties and people of the state “to fight this battle tooth and nail in the courts”.