Modi’s remarks on Article 370 unacceptable: Tarigami

SRINAGAR: CPI (M) leader M Y Tarigami today said Narendra Modi’s remarks on Article 370 were “unwarranted and unacceptable” and called for the restoration of the “eroded provisions of this article”.

“Awami Mutahida Mahaz (recently floated by Tarigami) is of the opinion that remarks made by Narendra Modi seeking abrogation of Article 370 are not only unwarranted but totally unacceptable to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” convener of AMM, Tarigami said in a statement here.

“We demand that a concrete decision be taken to restore the eroded provisions of this article of faith to its original status in the Constitution,” he said.

AMM is an amalgam of several mainstream political parties in Jammu and Kashmir.

Tarigami, who is also state secretary of CPI (M), said Modi’s speech at a rally in Jammu yesterday was “motivated to scuttle” the constitutional guarantees to Jammu and Kashmir’s autonomous position enshrined in the Constitution.

“It is our unalterable opinion that Article 370 of the Constitution should act as a bridge between the Union and the state and the provisions which have been eroded from time-to- time should be restored without any delay.

“There should be no further erosion of Article 370 and it should be considered as a permanent feature of the Constitution of India,” he said.

Tarigami said Modi has “always been viewed as sharpening communal polarization” but he would never succeed in dividing the state on the basis of regional or communal calls.
Tarigami said “communal overtures” of such elements are “fraught with dangerous consequences” for the ideals enshrined in the Republican Constitution of the country.

“There is a dire need to protect and preserve the rich socio-cultural-religious diversity of the state and any division on regional, religious, ethnic or cultural basis is not acceptable to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

He said it was necessary for the secular and democratic forces to unitedly counter the communal forces of all varieties and maintain people’s unity.

“We call upon the secular and democratic forces to strengthen their efforts amongst the people and mobilize them for rebuffing the communal forces, preserve communal amity, defend the composite culture and strengthen the unity of the people,” he said.

The AMM leader said Kashmir was essentially a political problem and needed a political solution.

“It is also imperative not to remain under any illusion that Kashmir issue could be resolved by the use of force or brow beating. Kashmir (conflict) is essentially a political problem and needs a political solution. It is hoped from all important stakeholders to understand the dynamics and consequences of this unfortunate problem and explore all peaceful options to settle it,” he said. -PTI