CPI(M) moves SC in support of Art 35A for Kashmir

The CPI(M) on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court to intervene in a pending writ petition filed by an NGO challenging Article 35A of the Constitution.

Article 35A is very much necessary to prevent further alienation of Kashmiri people from India,” a party spokesperson said in a statement.

The Article empowers the Jammu and Kashmir state legislature to define "permanent residents" of the state for bestowing special rights and privileges on them.

The spokesperson said, ”Senior counsel P V Surendranath will appear for the party in the intervention application filed through Resmitha R Chandran, Advocate-On-record”.

He said the application was filed by senior CPI(M) leader and MLA from Kulgam, Kashmir, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami on behalf of the party.

Art 370 abused

“Article 370 (special status for Kashmir) has been repeatedly abused after 1954 Presidential Order, practically negating it and the autonomy of the state,” the spokesperson said. Among the changes made, the most important are restricting the powers of the state legislature, extension of powers of Parliament, application to the State financial provisions of the Constitution, provisions relating to Emergency, all-India services, control of elections to the State legislature and other matters, the spokesperson said.