Says the constitutional provision is tilted against women
Countering former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s claim that Article 35A does not allow any gender discrimination, the BJP today “reminded” the National Conference (NC) leader that spouses and children of local women married outside J&K are not entitled to the status of state subject unlike men who marry non-state subjects.
In a statement issued here today, state BJP spokesman Virendra Gupta said the state subject law and Article 35A not only allows discrimination on the basis of gender but also violates Articles 14 and 16 of the Indian Constitution. He also raised the issue of stringent conditions that had been imposed by the state government for getting state subject certificates issued in favour of bonafide persons. He said in particular, the people of the Jammu region, find it difficult to get the certificates for their wards.
He also pointed out that such conditions had been created by the political class that state subject certificate-holders of Jammu province found it difficult to settle in the Valley. He added that the settlement of Kashmiri Pandits back in the Valley and construction of Sainik Colony for defence personnel, who were state subjects, was vehemently opposed.
However, people from the Valley were settling in Jammu province in a large numbers under a conspicuous strategy to change the demography of the province, Gupta said.
The spokesperson said there was a dearth of employment resources in the state because of the reluctance of industrialists and business houses of other parts of the country to start their ventures in the state, thereby forcing the unemployed youth to migrate outside the state in search of jobs. He asked Omar to name the units started in Jammu and Kashmir provinces by outsiders in the state.
Gupta said instead of making a hue and cry about Article 35A, Omar should wait for the outcome of the case in the Supreme Court.
‘Violative of Articles 14 and 16’
The state subject law and Article 35A not only allows discrimination on the basis of gender but also violates Articles 14 and 16 of the Indian Constitution
The BJP asked Omar Abdullah to name the units set up in Jammu and Kashmir provinces by outsiders
