“Those who oppose repeal of Article 370 are ignorant,” says Ghulam Nabi Azad

Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and leader of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party, stated on Sunday that people who oppose repealing Article 370 are unaware of the Union territory’s history and topography.

He made the statement during a hearing in the Supreme Court on a bundle of petitions contesting the constitutional legitimacy of the Centre’s decision on August 5, 2019 to strip the former state of its unique status provided under Article 370.

 

On the fourth anniversary of the contentious action, the BJP welcomed a new age of peace, growth, and prosperity in Kashmir following the repeal of Article 370.

Azad attacked regional parties without name them in an interview with ANI in Doda.

“Those who oppose (the repeal of Article 370 in the Supreme Court) are unaware of the situation on the ground, as well as the history and geography of Jammu and Kashmir.” “Article 370 was not intended for any specific area, province, or religion, but was intended to benefit everyone,” the former Congress leader said.

 

 

 

“I have complete confidence in the Supreme Court.” “I believe it will investigate every aspect of this (abrogation of Article 370) move,” Azad remarked.

 

Previously, the BJP declared in an official statement, “The repeal of Article 370 has brought peace, development, and prosperity to Jammu and Kashmir.”

On the fourth anniversary of the repeal of Article 370, Mehbooba Mufti, the former chief minister and leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), said she was placed under “house arrest” along with other prominent party officials.

 

Earlier, a five-judge Supreme Court Constitution bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud asked, “How can a provision (Article 370), which was specifically mentioned as a temporary provision in the Constitution, become permanent after the tenure of the Jammu and Kashmir Constituent Assembly came to an end in 1957?”

 

The bench said that the Parliament could not have proclaimed itself the legislative of Jammu and Kashmir in order to assist the repeal of Article 370, since Article 354 of the Constitution prohibits such an exercise of authority.