STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and President Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) Ghulam Nabi Azad on Monday expressed disappointment over the Supreme Court verdict upholding the abrogation of Article 370 and said people of the region were “not happy”.
He, however, welcomed the limit set by the apex court for holding assembly polls.
He said that the unemployment scenario in Jammu and Kashmir can worsen on account of the removal of Article 35A, as people from other parts of the country can apply for jobs.
“We are disappointed over the Supreme Court verdict,” Azad told reporters, adding that he has been stating that only the central government or the Supreme Court can decide on the matter.
The central government, he said, took the decision to abrogate Article 370 while the attendant Article 35A was annulled, and it would not have changed its stance.
“This was our last hope…It is a unanimous decision. I think people of Jammu and Kashmir, whether in Kashmir or Jammu, are not happy,” he said.
Azad said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir had a “sentimental” link with Article 370 and 35A and it was “historical” for the region.
He said Article 35A was incorporated in the “Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir” in line with the decisions taken by Maharaja Hari Singh, the erstwhile ruler, so that outsiders cannot purchase land in the state or get employment.
He said the removal of Article 35A will “cause great harm to Jammu and Kashmir’s economy, lands will get costlier,” and people from all over the country can apply for jobs, making it difficult for the locals to get them.
He said Jammu and Kashmir does not have a big industry and a lot of people depend on tourism for their livelihood. “Unemployment will rise,” he said.
Azad said that Jammu and Kashmir has borders with Pakistan and China and 35A was incorporated considering special circumstances.
He said the decision to abrogate Article 370 in August was a “mistake” and was taken in “hurry”. He said political parties in Jammu and Kashmir were not consulted.
The former union minister said the apex court has “at least” fixed the date for assembly polls and restoration of statehood would follow.
“This is in our favour”, he said.