Individual choices should not be dictated by state: NC

SRINAGAR: National Conference Friday said that individual choices be determined by religious beliefs not dictated by the state.

Since the inception of the PDP-BJP Government led by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, the J&K National Conference has time and again warned about a concerted effort being made to divide the State on regional and communal lines. The abject failure of the Mufti Government to place a cogent response to a PIL filed in the High Court, is either an act of gross incompetence or worse still part of a sinister plan.

The spokesperson further added The people of J&K acceded to a secular India and not to a theocratic State. In a multi-religious country like India religious beliefs of every community have to be respected and protected. This is enshrined in our constitution under Article 25. Certain choices are determined by religious beliefs and cannot and also should not be dictated by the State.

In light of the above, the National Conference believes that the recent tendency towards selective banning is regressive and part of a broader design to foment communal discord. We appeal to all sections of the society to respect the spirit of the constitution and provide enough space to all religions to follow their beliefs.

In the meantime, J&K National Conference is consulting legal and constitutional experts with a view to effect suitable amendments in relevant sections of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) in order to pre-empt such situations from arising again in the future, the statement said.

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