NEW DELHI: The war of words between RSS and Omar Abdullah over Article 370 escalated on Wednesday with Ram Madhav accusing the J&K Chief Minister of ‘making a mountain out of a molehill’. “Nobody should have objection over an open ended debate on the subject,” said Ram Madhav.
“There should be no unnecessary controversy over his (Dr.Jitendra Singh) remark. He stated the party line,” Ram Madhav said. Madhav also asked whether the Chief Minister thought the state was his “parental estate”. “J&K won’t be part of India? Is Omar thinking it’s his parental estate? 370 or no 370 J&K has been n will always b an integral part of India,” Madhav said on Twitter.
A fresh controversy over Article 370 erupted following comments by the new Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh seeking debate on it.
“If we do not have debate and discussion, how would you be able to tell those who have been unable to understand what they have been deprived of on account of Article 370”? Singh had said. He, however, later clarified that he was “misquoted” on the issue.
Reacting to Singh’s statements Abdullah said, “He (Dr.Jitendra Singh) had already done the damage before he withdrew his statement. If they have spoken to stake holders I would like to know who? I and my party are stake holders, nobody spoke to us.”
“Dr.Jitendra Singh may have never thought he will ever sit in PMO, he became emotional. State subject laws have not impeded investment. Its the situation here. And these laws are not unique, other states have it too,” he added.
Hitting out at BJP, Abdullah said, “Why does BJP not concentrate on fulfilling its other promises instead of raking up the J&K issue first.” “While you want to strengthen ties with people here, these statements will push away people. You can’t repeal Article 370 until the Constituent Assembly is not constituted all over again.” he added.
Observing that any move to abrogate Article 370 will be extremely dangerous, Omar said if BJP decides to recall the constitutional facility it would reopen the debate on state’s accession to India. He said the only way to revoke Article 370 is on the back of the body called constituent assembly.
This is the body that ratified the relationship of J and K with India, he said adding, if you were to recall the Constituent Assembly, you would be reopening the debate on Instrument of Accession. “If the BJP wants to do that and call the Constituent Assembly, let them do that,” he said.
Congress leader Saifuddin Soz from J&K supported Omar Abdullah’s stand saying, “Article370 cannot be amended unless the people of Jammu & Kashmir want it to be.” “I don’t think Parliament of India can debate on the matter of Article 370. Article 370 can’t be amended,” he added.