The Rashtriya Sevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat has called for changes in the constitution to assimilate the state with the rest of India. In his speech on RSS foundation day in Nagpur, Bhagwat spoke on a host of issues such as national security, Kashmir, Rohingyas, cow protection, economy and agriculture. He plied a predictable line on these issues. But it were his comments on J&K that took the people in Valley by surprise. For these came, within two weeks of the home minister Rajnath Singhs assurance that the centre will respect the sentiments of the people. Singhs statement was the first public assurance by any top central government functionary about the continuation of the Article 35A, albeit not as specific as Kashmir would have liked it to be. People now expected the words to be matched by the deed. But Bhagwats remarks have once again made the majority population of the state anxious. The sense of reassurance generated by Singhs visit has turned out to be short-lived. Bhagwat in his speech has shown little understanding of the sentiment in Valley. He said that the necessary constitutional amendments will have to be made and old provisions changed to integrate the state into India.
The speech delineated the RSS policy for the state in very specific terms. Bhagwat hailed the government for the determination with which terrorist infiltration and firing from across the border are being dealt with. He noted with approval that the provocative actions and the propaganda of the separatists were being effectively controlled by curbing their illegal financial sources. He expressed satisfaction that the positive effects of strategy to neutralize the terrorists are now visible on the ground. However, Bhagwat was sore that the problems of permanent residents of the state, who migrated from Pakistan occupied J&K in 1947, are still there. Similarly he lamented that the problems of those who were displaced from the Kashmir valley (Kashmiri Pandits) in 1990 have also not been resolved.
And these problems, according to Bhagwat, can only be resolved if the constitutional safeguards for J&K are removed. So the issue is back to square one Article 370 and the Article 35A on J&K. This has reignited the anxiety in the state about the centres alleged attempt to abrogate them to pave way for the change in Valleys demography. More so, with the petition challenging the Article 35A filed by an RSS-allied think tank still being heard by the Supreme Court. As the situation stands there is no indication that the centre will file an affidavit in the court to defend the Article 35A. And with RSS chief expressing himself publicly against the J&Ks constitutional protections, it is unlikely that the central government will now file this affidavit. So, in a way, we are back where we had begun. With next hearing of the petition slated for November, one really doesnt know what is in store for the state subject law. If anything, Bhagwats observations about J&Ks special status is a reminder that the challenge to Article 35A is far from over. And there is a need for the people in the state to revive their campaign to safeguard the law.
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