The demand to retain Article 35A of the Constitution is becoming an emotive issue in Jammu and Kashmir politics with major political parties holding separate rallies on the issue on Saturday, ahead of a hearing in the Supreme Court challenging the provision on August 6.
Article 35A of the Constitution empowers the legislature of Jammu and Kashmir to define who are permanent residents of the state. Article 35A denies property rights in Jammu and Kashmir to outsiders and women who marry persons from outside the state and has been criticised as being discriminatory against other Indians.
Several organisations—including an NGO linked to the RSS, We the Citizens—have filed petitions demanding the quashing of Article 35A; the Supreme Court is scheduled to take up the petitions on August 6.
Hundreds of National Conference activists held a march in support of retaining Article 35A in central Srinagar on Saturday. The NC workers wanted to march toward the city centre at Lal Chowk but were deterred by the heavy security presence. A march by the PDP to Lal Chowk was also stopped by police. A traders body also held a demonstration in support of Article 35A on Saturday.
Separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had told his supporters on July 31 to prepare for a mass agitation in the event of the Supreme Court modifying or striking down Article 35A. A civil society group has called for a shutdown on August 6 to protest against alleged “legal and constitutional onslaughts” on Article 35A.
The Central government has refused to defend Article 35A in the Supreme Court and had said there was no need to have a debate on it.
(With PTI inputs)