Behzad Parvez | Caravan Daily
NEW DELHI – The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), on Monday, criticised the Modi Government for scrapping special status of Jammu and Kashmir abruptly without discussing it with the people of the state or their representative leaders.
Prof Qadir Muhiuddin, national president of the IUML, said the Central Government’s move to abrogate Articles 370 and 35A is illegal and unconstitutional.
He expressed deep concern over the heavy deployment of security forces and clampdown in the state with the curfew, disconnection of phone lines and Internet services which, he said has completely paralysed the state and instilled fear in the minds of the people.
Speaking to the media in Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu, Qadir Muhiuddin said the government has snatched away the basic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir with an ulterior motive to govern the state with iron fist without outside interference.
However, the Muslim League leader disapproved of China and Pakistan interfering on the Kashmir issue as it is an “internal matter of India”. Hence, Pakistan’s move to take the issue to United Nations Security Council (UNSC) was unnecessary and uncalled for, he said in a press note.
Khorrum Omer, president of IUML, Delhi unit, also criticised the scrapping of special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to Caravan Daily, Omer contended that the way the Modi Government has gone ahead with the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A and bifurcation of the state keeping the entire country in the dark is all the more reprehensible. Even the local leaders of Kashmir including the former chief ministers were not informed about the move; rather they are kept under house arrest.
He regretted that common people have to face hardships due to curfew with even daily needs such as groceries and medicine are out of bounds. He asked the government to provide immediate relief to the sick and needy as hospitals and doctors are out of reach.
The Kashmiri leaders who were always part of Indian democracy and have taken oath on the Constitution of India as members of the legislative assembly of the state and Parliaments are under arrest for no reason at all. They all should be released immediately, Omer demanded.
He urged the government to take immediate steps to restore normalcy in the state.
Prof Muhiuddin also alleged that the Modi Government is resorting to take up non-issues like Triple Talaq and Ayodhya dispute to hide its failures to improve the economy. Which, he said was on the steady downslide.
The Muslim League president also exuded confidence that his party would come out in flying colours in the upcoming municipal elections in Tamil Nadu. He said their alliance with the DMK will stand in good stead and fetch them the required seats in the state.
