Kashmir parties whipping up emotions over Article 35A: BJP

The BJP on Tuesday charged Kashmir-centric parties with instigating the masses over Article 35-A, which accords special rights to J&K citizens, just to reap political benefits. The party said the matter was sub judice and raking it up was not healthy for a democracy.
“Shockingly, separatist groups as well as some mainstream parties are issuing threatening statements on Article 35-A, whipping up emotions and instigating people to observe protests to mount pressure on the judiciary,” said state BJP president Ravinder Raina while reacting to the announcement of Valley-based organisations to launch a series of protests till August 6, when the hearing on the subject is scheduled in the Supreme Court.
“This is glaring example of contempt of court,” Raina told Kashmir Post, adding that instead of holding protests on the streets, the supporters of the Article should fight it legally in the court of law.
Meanwhile, two arch-rivals Peoples Democratic Party and National Conference are on the same page on the issue and have warned against the repealing of the Article. Congress legislator from north Kashmir Usman Majid too has said that “if Article 35A is scrapped, it will lead to a civil war in Kashmir”.
“As far as the BJP is concerned, we will respect the verdict of the Supreme Court on the issue. Whatsoever may have been our stand earlier, now the matter is before the court. So, it is unethical to mobilise public in support of our stand,” Raina argued.
“Those issuing threats of launching a mass agitation are actually setting an unhealthy precedent, which will prove disastrous for democracy,” he added.
A Delhi-based NGO “We the Citizen” and some individuals, including Radhika Gill, 18, a Valmiki girl, had challenged the constitutional validity of Article 35-A.