Day after, Cong raps state unit, to ‘rectify’ Bill

An embarrassed Congress today said it would issue a directive to ‘‘rectify’’ it. ‘‘We don’t agree with the Jammu and Kashmir unit of the party on the issue. Therefore, we will give necessary directive to see that it is changed,’’ Congress spokesman S. Jaipal Reddy told reporters. Sources said the Congress members would oppose the Bill in the Upper House.

Deputy Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Mangat Ram Sharma said told The Indian Express ‘‘We are bound to the directions of the party high command and will definitely follow them’’.

PDP members, including party chief Mehbooba Mufti, who until a week ago had strongly justified the state government’s move to withdraw the appeal pending in the SC, did not react to the HC ruling. The National Conference had strongly opposed the HC verdict, which seems to have left coalition partner PDP with little choice.

The Bill reads: ‘‘The Jammu and Kashmir Permanent Resident (Disqualification) Bill, 2004 provides that a female permanent resident on her marriage with non-permanent resident shall lose the status of a permanent resident…the proposed law does not alter the legal position of female descendants of permanent residents in the matter of inheritance, which will continue to be in accordance with the personal law applicable to them’’.

The BJP hit out at the Congress for supporting the ‘‘anti-women’’ Bill. ‘‘It is unfortunate that a party led by a woman is supporting such a law and repeating its performance of Shah Bano case,’’ BJP chief Venkaiah Naidu said.

‘‘We demand that the state immediately withdraw the legislation. It is a matter of serious concern as it targets Kashmiri women who are forced to migrate,’’ said Brinda Karat, CPI(M) leader and All India Democratic Women’s Association general secretary.