SC notice to Centre on plea questioning special status to J&K

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, August 19, 2014: The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a notice to Centre on a plea which challenged the provisions of Article 370, which provides special status to Jammu and Kashmir.Supreme Court

The plea, filed by a Delhi-based NGO, asks why a law passed by the J&K Assembly "deprives people from other parts of the country from acquiring immovable assets or seek employment in the state."

The plea also questions the "inability to challenge any law made by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly" even if it allegedly "unconstitutional".

Revocation of Article 370 has been a long-standing demand of the right-wing groups in the country, including some affiliated to the ruling BJP.

Though the Modi government has not taken any position on Article 370, a remark made shortly after coming to power by Minister of State in the PMO, Jitendra Singh, on the Centre being open to debate on the contentious provision, had evoked sharp responses.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had warned that any attempt to reopen the debate on Article 370 would force the state to revisit its terms of accession to the Indian Union.

In its election manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls, the BJP had said it is in favour of abrogating Article 370, but said the issue will be discussed with all stakeholders before a decision is made.

In December last year at a rally in Jammu, Narendra Modi had suggested that it should be probed whether Article 370 has indeed benefited the people of Jammu & Kashmir.

Courtesy: Indiatoday