Jammu, Sep 28 (JKNS): Jammu and Kashmir BJP spokesperson Arun Kumar Gupta on Monday criticised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for referring to Pakistan while speaking about the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, saying the constitutional status of J&K is an internal matter of India.
BJP has strongly condemned Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s remarks invoking Pakistan while speaking about restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, saying that such statements from a person occupying the constitutional office of Chief Minister are deeply disturbing and demand an explanation, said Arun Kumar Gupta Jammu & Kashmir UT Spoke person Bhartiya Janta Party in a press release issued here today.
Omar Abdullah has sought to argue that if restoration of statehood is connected with guns falling silent, the decision would effectively be left to Pakistan. The very introduction of Pakistan into an exclusively internal constitutional issue of India is objectionable and politically reckless.
Gupta further said, Pakistan has no locus whatsoever in deciding the constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir. Neither Islamabad nor Rawalpindi can be permitted even rhetorical space in determining when, how or under what circumstances Parliament and the Government of India exercise their constitutional powers.
Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. Its constitutional arrangements are matters between the people of India and India’s constitutional institutions. To introduce an enemy country’s actions into this discourse, particularly after decades of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and bloodshed in Jammu and Kashmir, is a formulation that deserves the strongest political condemnation.
The Chief Minister must clarify why Pakistan was brought into the discussion at all. Does the constitutional future of Jammu and Kashmir require any reference whatsoever to what Pakistan does or does not do? The answer is an unequivocal NO, said Arun Kumar Gupta.
Such rhetoric also raises serious questions when viewed against India’s laws protecting the sovereignty, unity and integrity of the country. Whether any particular statement attracts the ingredients of Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita is ultimately a matter for the competent investigating authorities and courts, but political leaders-particularly constitutional functionaries-cannot be casual about language touching India’s sovereignty and an adversarial neighbouring country.
The BJP rejects any attempt, direct or indirect, to give Pakistan relevance in India’s internal affairs.
The message must be unambiguous: Jammu and Kashmir belongs to India. Its future will be decided by India. Pakistan has no locus, no veto and no voice, said Gupta. (JKNS)
