JAMMU, Dec 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated today that Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which provided special status to Jammu and Kashmir, had acted as an obstacle to national unity, and that is why it was abolished.
He also mentioned Article 35-A, claiming that Parliament was not adequately informed about this article. During a two-day discussion in the Lok Sabha on the ‘Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Indian Constitution,’ Modi criticized the Congress party for the issues in Jammu and Kashmir, accusing them of bypassing Parliament in the introduction of Article 35-A. He remarked, “While many are familiar with Article 370, few know about 35-A.
If the Parliament is the primary authority of the Indian Constitution, it was disrespected in this instance.” Modi indicated that the Congress has continually undermined the Constitution. He asserted that if Article 35-A had not existed, the current situation would likely be different.
The Parliament, he claimed, was left in the dark regarding this matter, and the Congress aimed to conceal their misdeeds from the public. Emphasizing unity as a priority in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution, Modi reiterated that Article 370 needed to be removed for the betterment of national cohesion.
He stated, “If you examine the policies from the last decade, you will see that the people have entrusted me with the responsibility, and our initiatives have continually sought to strengthen India’s unity.” On August 5, 2019, the Modi administration revoked Articles 370 and 35-A, which conferred special status to the former State of Jammu and Kashmir, and subsequently divided it into the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Modi has consistently claimed that his Government has fully executed BR Ambedkar’s vision for the Constitution in Jammu and Kashmir. According to PTI, the Prime Minister on Saturday accused the Congress of having “tasted blood” and repeatedly harming the Constitution.
He outlined his Government’s policies and decisions since taking office in 2014, aimed at enhancing India’s strength and cohesion, aligned with the Constitution’s principles. In his address, he criticized previous Congress administrations for sowing “toxic” divisions in India’s diversity that have compromised its unity, particularly targeting the Nehru-Gandhi family for undermining the Constitution during their time in power for 55 years.
Reminding listeners of the impact of past Prime Ministers, Modi highlighted that Jawaharlal Nehru amended the Constitution to limit freedom of expression, and Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency to defy a Supreme Court ruling that voided her election as an MP, actions he characterized as threats to democracy.
Modi also pointed out that Rajiv Gandhi made amendments to the Constitution that have left a lasting stain on the Congress party. He condemned an unnamed “arrogant” individual from the party who once tore up a Cabinet decision during the UPA government’s tenure led by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, while also mentioning that the National Advisory Council, chaired by Sonia Gandhi, was positioned above the Cabinet.
Highlighting the decisions of the Constitution’s framers to prohibit reservation based on religion in favor of national unity, Modi criticized the Congress for pursuing this agenda out of a desire for political gain, which he deemed a violation of constitutional principles. He proposed 11 resolutions which…
