Jammu-Valley political divide to fore over NC’s resolution on special status

The passing of the resolution in J&K Assembly seeking restoration of special status has brought the politics of regionalism to the forefront. While the BJP and some other Jammu-based parties are standing against resolution, most of the Kashmir-based parties have sided with the National Conference (NC) in favour of the resolution.

The saffron party has opened an all-out front against the NC where almost all of its leaders are attacking Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary, who moved the resolution on Wednesday. Different units of the saffron party held protest demonstrations against the resolution on Thursday.

Showing resentment over the resolution, BJP Minority Morcha protested in Jammu and burnt an effigy of NC at the BJP headquarters.

The BJP’s Kashmir Displaced District protested against the move of the NC and in a statement “condemned the attempt to reverse the historic decision, which was intended to bring integration and progress to the Jammu and Kashmir”.

Vilakshan Singh, president of the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (Bhim), also condemned the NC for bringing a resolution seeking special status.

In a statement, Singh said, “The NC is once again trying to create a country within a country by pushing for the restoration of Article 370. Their actions are clearly aimed at promoting their divisive agenda and seeking greater autonomy for J&K, with the ultimate goal of diminishing India’s role in the region.”

Singh further emphasised that the abrogation of Article 370 was a critical step towards unifying J&K with the rest of India. “Article 370 created an artificial barrier between J&K and the rest of India. This blunder, committed by Congress decades ago, was rightfully corrected with the constitutional amendment in 2019. The NC’s attempt to reverse this change is nothing but an effort to reintroduce division and sow discord between J&K and the nation.”

Meanwhile, Saini Samaj, which is a representative group of the Other Backward Classes (OBC), expressed strong opposition to the resolution.

Pritam Saini, president of the group, said “The abrogation of Article 370 was a monumental step in integrating J&K with the rest of the nation, bringing long-awaited rights and benefits to the deprived communities within the region,” he stated. He asserted that this move helped correct historical injustices, especially toward the marginalised classes, including those in the OBC category.