JKNPP holds anti-BJP protests over Art 35A

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party today accused the BJP of resorting to a ‘delay and deny’ tactic over Art 35A and seeking several adjournments in the matter which is being heard in the Supreme Court. Supporters of the JKNPP staged protest demonstration against the BJP here and burnt its effigy.

JKNPP Chairman Harsh Dev Singh said that repealing Art 35A formed a part of BJP’s ideology and the issue was raised not only by its senior Central leaders during the elections but also its state leaders.

The Supreme Court last week adjourned for three months the hearing on pleas challenging Art 35A of the Constitution which empowers the Jammu and Kashmir legislature to define its ‘permanent residents’ and bestow on them special rights and privileges.

“Surprisingly, the Central government through Attorney General K K Venugopal sought six months time before the hearing could start over the issue,” he said. He said the BJP was playing the “politics of subterfuge” by using the ‘delay and deny’ tactic for political interests.