'Hold BJP responsible if terror spreads to Jammu': Disgruntled party MLA warns against tinkering with Article 35A

Jammu: Voicing his dissent over the BJP’s stand on Article 35A, a party legislator in Jammu and Kashmir warned his party that scrapping the constitutional provision with an eye on the 2019 Lok Sabha election could lead to serious consequences. Gagan Bhagat, a member of Legislative Assembly from RS Pura constituency, said he had launched a campaign to mobilise public support to safeguard Articles 370 and 35A, which give special rights and privileges to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. His remarks found mention on former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti’s Twitter handle as well, where she said it was “heartening” that BJP leaders were coming out in support of Article 35-A. “Today I feel relieved that regardless of political views or affiliations, we are all on the same page as far as protecting the special status of J-K is concerned,” Mufti wrote.

Heartening to know that two MLAs from BJP, Rajesh Gupta followed by Dr Gagan have raised their voice in defence of Article 35 A. Defending the special status of J&K is not confined to a region or religion anymore. People of the state have realised its importance & sanctity. https://t.co/IzyoOUksYd

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) August 11, 2018

Last month, Bhagat found himself in trouble after the BJP state disciplinary committee recommended his suspension from the party for three months. It also proposed to restrain him from holding official position in the party for one year. The disciplinary action against Bhagat was taken after an ex-serviceman alleged that the BJP leader had abducted his daughter — a charge the legislator and the woman have denied. [caption id=“attachment_4945951” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] BJP legislator in Jammu and Kashmir Gagan Bhagat. Image Courtesy: ANI[/caption] However, Bhagat’s estranged wife Monika Sharma publicly accused him of having an extra-marital affair with the woman. Describing Articles 370 and 35A as “shields”, Bhagat said the people in Kashmir Valley were aware of the “pros and cons” of the provision. “If Article 35A is tinkered with, the day will not be far when the youth of Jammu will also pick up guns and stones. The BJP is selling dreams and want to sacrifice the interests of Jammu to achieve its goal of 300 plus (seats) in the upcoming parliamentary elections,” the disgruntled BJP leader told PTI. A debate over continuing the constitutional provisions has picked up in recent months, after several pleas were filed in the Supreme Court challenging the validity of Article 35A, which permits only the subjects of Jammu and Kashmir to buy property in the state. On 6 August, the court said a three-judge bench would decide whether the pleas should be referred to a five-judge Constitution bench for examining the larger issue of alleged violation of the doctrine of basic structure of the Constitution. The BJP legislator said the Dogras will face the brunt if Article 35A goes. “We will lose everything — our identity, jobs, business and our land to outsiders. We will be left with no option but to either pick up the gun or stones for our rights.” He claimed that if Article 35A is “removed, the BJP will vanish from the state”. “They are not concerned about the people or eyeing the two parliament seats of Jammu and Kashmir… They want to sacrifice the interests of Jammu to achieve their goal of 300 plus in the next year’s parliamentary elections,” he claimed. He accused the BJP leadership of using proxies to revoke Article 370 and Article 35A through the Supreme Court. “BJP is not the well-wisher of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. They are anti-people and anti-scheduled caste. They are playing politics over the vital issues concerning the state,” he said. The BJP leader said the Kashmiri youth did not pick up the gun in one day. “They are being compelled as they are subjected to arrest and torture.” If terrorism spreads to Jammu, he said, the BJP would be responsible. Referring to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s campaign against people from outside the state, he said a similar situation could develop in Jammu and Kashmir. “If we will not raise our voice today, there will be a Dogra Andoloan like Navnirman Sena’s (in Maharashtra) in near future,” Bhagat said. He also dismissed suggestions that he was planning to leave the BJP. “Why should I leave the party. I am speaking the truth and if they have any problem, let them take action against me. I will not compromise with the rights of people.”