Srinagar, Sep 28 (JKNS): Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference (JKPC) chief and MLA Sajad Lone on Monday questioned the basis of the ongoing discussion on restoration of statehood, saying the Assembly’s reference point should be the promises made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947.
Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, as per news agency JKNS, Lone said the people of J&K were in India based on commitments made in 1947 and questioned whether the Union government’s reorganisation of the erstwhile state into a Union Territory was within the limits of law.
“Sir, I have full respect for the Prime Minister of India and Supreme Court of India. But if we are here today, it is not because of Modi Ji’s promise or Supreme Court of India. We are here in this country because of the promises made to the people of J&K in 1947,” he said.
Lone questioned the government over the constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir and said the Assembly should not change its reference point.
“Sir, the reference point in this Assembly should be 1947, not 2000. We cannot change the reference point,” he said.
He also questioned the legal implications of the 2019 reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir, saying the issue of whether a state could be converted into a Union Territory remained significant.
“Today, in the whole world, where the government law is being followed, this is the first place in the entire world where a state has been relegated to a union,” Lone said.
Referring to the Supreme Court proceedings, Lone said the court had not answered all the questions concerning the reorganisation in the manner he expected.
“Tell me, the Union government that has relegated us, is this within the limit of law or not?” he asked.
Lone said the Assembly should continue to use 1947 as the historical reference point while discussing Jammu and Kashmir’s political and constitutional position.
“Our promise is the promise of 1947. That should be the reference point of this Assembly,” he said.
The Supreme Court had in December 2023 upheld the constitutional validity of the abrogation of Article 370 and the 2019 reorganisation, while directing that statehood to Jammu and Kashmir be restored at the earliest. (JKNS)