Are you against SC, ST, OBC rights, BJP asks INDIA bloc
A day after the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly passed a resolution seeking restoration of special status, the BJP asked the Congress-led INDIA bloc whether it was opposed to the constitutional rights of SCs, STs, OBCs, women and children.
The BJP fielded ex-minister Smriti Irani to accuse the Congress and NC-led alliance in the UT of seeking to "protect their own rights instead of those of the people of J&K by way of a resolution seeking restoration of Article 370."
Let me assure the country today that Article 370 will never be restored and if attempts are made to break up the country, the BJP along with the people of India will put up stiff resistance.
Irani said after the abrogation of Article 370, J&K saw 80 per cent decline in civilian deaths in terror incidents, a 70 per cent decline in incidence of violence and a record tourist arrival of over 2 crore people.
"It was after Article 370 was removed that tribals, Dalits, women, OBCs and children got their constitutional rights which they never had earlier. Let the Congress clarify this in Jharkhand and Maharashtra," Irani said.
She also wondered how the wife of Yaseen Malik could approach the Gandhis for raising the issue of a terror suspect in the Parliament.
"If a terror suspect was to ask any Indian citizen for help, would you oblige?" asked Irani.
She said the INDIA bloc parties were interested in restoring special status to once again "loot J&K treasury and secure their own interests as against the constitutional and economic interests of Jammu and Kashmir and its people."
