Article 370 will never be back, says Shahnawaz

Srinagar, November 22

The BJP on Sunday said Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was “buried” by Parliament following proper procedures of law. I am sure it will not be restored, said BJP national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain.

Several mainstream parties from Jammu and Kashmir have challenged in the Supreme Court the Centre’s August 5, 2019 decision to withdraw Article 370 and also divide the state into two union territories. “I do not want to discuss anything on the SC (Supreme Court), the judiciary. But, (Article) 370 is gone. The ‘Gupkar gang’ is sure it (Article 370) will be restored, but I am also sure it will not be restored. The way they are making a claim, I too am. We have abrogated it according to proper procedures and both the houses of the Parliament have passed it. Parliament frames laws and it (Art 370) has been abrogated,” Shahnawaz said.

He was recently appointed the BJPs in-charge for the elections in Kashmir. The special status of the erstwhile state was abrogated at the highest temple of democracy and the law was repealed by the “makers of Constitution”, he said, referring to the Parliament.

“The BJP has done nothing. It is the Parliament which has done it…Was it done at the BJP’s Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg office? It was abrogated at the highest temple of democracy. The makers of the Constitution abrogated it,” he said.

Asked about the challenge ín Supreme Court, the BJP leader said, “When some decision is taken, we will see it. But as of now, it (Article 370) has been buried in a grave”. Hussain said no power in the world, including the United Nations, can restore the special status of J-K. “Article 370 is gone and even the UN, the whole world, does not have the courage (to restore it). Pakistan pleaded before Saudi Arabia, the Organisation of Islamic Countries, but has anyone said anything?… Article 370 is not there now and it will never be. It is gone forever,” he asserted.

Referring to the upcoming District Development Council (DDC) polls in J-K, the BJP leader said the whole election is about development. “We are pro-development and we will undertake development in J-K. It is a question of our credibility. The Prime Minister loves J-K and this whole election is on development. We want to live in the hearts of the people of Kashmir,” he said. — PTI