Srinagar, Aug 19 2018: Representatives of 27 traders’ bodies and civil society groups on Saturday came out in support to the 3-day protest demonstrations, beginning Aug 19 called by the Joint Resistance Leadership against “attempts” to abrogate Article 35A.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a case on the special constitutional provision on Aug 27.
The representatives said during a press conference here that they were ready to “sacrifice everything” to prevent any onslaught on the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Tomorrow (Sunday) transporters will be holding a protest rally while as on Monday a joint sit-in will be held by trade and industry,” said Abdul Majeed Zargar, spokesman of the joint amalgamation. “We are also making efforts to channelise sane voices from Jammu and Ladakh who are against attempts to abrogate Article 35A.”
Zargar said people of the state across regions and religions will do everything to save their demographic character, identity and other hereditary rights.
“The consequences of any adverse action on these rights will be too dreadful for anyone to imagine,” Zargar said.
The collective also appealed to Governor NN Vohra to engage top lawyers to get the petitions against the special constitutional provision dismissed in the Supreme Court.
“As custodian of the constitution of J&K, we appeal honorable Governor to rise to the occasion. Having assumed the mantle of interlocutor in the past, it may not be difficult for him to advise Government of India to start the process of talks with concerned parties aimed at final settlement of the dispute instead of using a militaristic approach to delay the issue,” said a statement issued by the collective.
The joint statement of Kashmir Inc and civil society said, “Article 35A is only a solemn India’s promise to people of Kashmir, enacted in its constitution that it will not tinker with the demography of the State till a final settlement of the dispute is arrived at in accordance with the UN resolutions. It is a sacred agreement between the representatives of people of Kashmir & people of India.”
“A misconception spread by vested interests is that Article 35A promotes discrimination against local women who marry outside the state. Nothing can be further from truth than this. As you must be aware that in 2002, a full bench of J&K High Court in Dr. Susheela Swahney’s case held that no local woman who marries outside the state loses her rights over property etc. Since this Judgment has not been challenged in the Supreme Court, it has become a law and by dint of this law all local women continue to retain their right over property even if they marry a non-state subject.”
The organisations represented during the press conference included Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries, both factions of Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation and Kashmir Economic Alliance, Federation Chamber of Industry of Kashmir, Jammu Kashmir Socio Economic Coordination Committee, Kashmir Economic Forum, Kashmir Center for Social and Development Studies (KCSDS), J&K JCCOPS, Western Bus Service, Haji-Pir Transport Company, Kashmir Motor Drivers Association , Western Motor Transport Company, New Kashmir Transport Company, Star Transport Company, Tourist Taxi Operators Association, Joint Coordination Committee of Taxi Associations Parimpora, All Kashmir Auto Riskshaw Drivers Association, Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association, JK Hoteliers Club, Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industries Kashmir, Houseboat Owners Association, Batamaloo Traders Association and All Traders Joint Coordination Committee Batamaloo.
