The BJP Jammu and Kashmir unit has dismissed Mirwaiz Umar Farooq's call for the restoration of Article 370, labeling it a provocative attempt to disrupt the peace in the valley. The party reaffirmed that while statehood will be restored, the special status is gone forever.
- BJP confirms Article 370 will never be restored.
- Statehood for J&K will be returned at an appropriate time.
- Mirwaiz's calls for unity against the abrogation are termed as 'provocative'.
In a strongly worded response, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unit of Jammu and Kashmir has slammed Kashmir's chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, for urging political parties to unite in demanding the restoration of Article 370. BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur asserted that such rhetoric is an attempt to incite the public and jeopardize the fragile peace that has returned to the valley after years of systemic violence.
Mr. Thakur reminded the public and political opponents that the decision taken by Parliament on August 5, 2019, was a "historic" constitutional move. He further emphasized that the Supreme Court of India has already upheld the abrogation, making the decision legally binding and irreversible. "Parliament has buried Article 370 forever," Thakur stated, adding that no pressure group can change this reality.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the BJP is strategically decoupling the issue of 'Statehood' from 'Special Status'. By promising the return of statehood, the government aims to appease democratic aspirations while ensuring that the legal integration of J&K with the rest of India remains absolute and permanent.
"The shift from a politics of agitation to a politics of development is the primary goal of the current administration in Jammu and Kashmir."p>
The BJP spokesperson highlighted the heavy price paid by security forces and civilians to bring peace back to the region. He argued that the valley has suffered enough from shutdowns, stone-pelting, and instability. According to Thakur, the youth of Kashmir are now focused on education, employment, entrepreneurship, and tourism, rather than the 'shutdown calendars' that once dictated their lives.
Addressing the demand for Statehood, the party clarified that there is a stark difference between the administrative status of a state and the special provisions of Article 370. While the former is a promise that the government intends to keep at the right juncture, the latter is a closed chapter of Indian constitutional history.
| Issue | BJP Position | Mirwaiz/Regional Parties Position |
|---|---|---|
| Article 370 | Permanently Abrogated | Demanding Restoration |
| Statehood | Will be restored in due time | Demanding Immediate Restoration |
| Valley Focus | Investment & Infrastructure | Political Autonomy |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Will Jammu and Kashmir get its statehood back?
A: Yes, the BJP and the Central Government have stated that statehood will be restored at an appropriate time.
Q2: Can Article 370 be brought back through a political agreement?
A: According to the BJP and the Supreme Court's ruling, the abrogation is a constitutional reality and cannot be reversed by political pressure.
