The fight over Article 35A of the Constitution is far from over as united Opposition in Kashmir on Tuesday asked Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to work on his assurances and file counter affidavit in the Supreme Court to support the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
Singh on Monday had assured that the Centre will not go against the sentiments of the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the issue.
"The statement of Union Home Minister on Article 35A has to be backed by immediate measures to defend this Constitutional provision in the Supreme Court. And for that they need to file an affidavit in the apex court, which they haven't done so far," a joint statement by CPI(M) leader Mohommad Yousuf Tarigami, Peoples Democratic Forum leader Hakeem Mohommad Yasin and Democratic Party Nationalist leader Ghulam Hassan Mir read.
Under Article 35A, Indian citizens other than the state subjects of Jammu and Kashmir, cannot acquire immovable property or have the voting rights in the restive state.
National Conference (NC), the main opposition party, said they will support every move aimed at bringing peace in the state, provided special status of Jammu and Kashmir and unique identity of its people is maintained.
"The Attorney General of India must be asked to submit a forceful counter in the apex court to safeguard Article 35A which is an endorsement of the law enacted by Maharja Hari Singh ji 90 years ago," said Devender Singh Rana, Provincial President of NC.
Congress, however, gave a new spin to Home Minister's assurance saying it was an outcome of the visit of former prime minister Manmohan Singh-led Policy Planning Group and their pressure.
"When BJP-PDP was feeling uneasy, the Home Minster came up with an assurance of not fiddling with the article. If the government is sincere and serious, it should file a counter affidavit in Supreme Court", said Tariq Hamid Karra, senior Congress leader and former J&K finance minister.
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti welcomed the Home Minister's statement saying positivity exhibited by him would go a long way in putting balms on the wounds of the people of the State.
"I have all along maintained that in a positive outreach with all shades of opinion in the State, coupled with compassion, confidence building and coexistence lie the key of a lasting peace and prosperity for the people of the State, country and the sub continent", she said.
