NC opposes BJP resolution on unification of PoK

NC MLA Sadiq Ali said adopting the resolution would only increase tensions between India and Pakistan at a time when there was a glimmer of hope that the relations between the two countries would improve.

BJP MLA Ashok Kumar Khajuria’s resolution read: “This House resolves that Pak-occupied Kashmir be liberated and united with the state of Jammu and Kashmir.” The Congress and the Panthers Party supported the resolution, saying it reiterated thecountry’s constitutional position.

Ironically, the NC versus BJP battleline was drawn in the J&K House soon after the swearing-in of NC MP Omar Abdullah as a member of a BJP-led ministry at the Centre. A few years ago a resolution on the same lines was passed by the two Houses of Parliament without any fuss. In the J&K House, however, the issue raised emotions.

Moving the resolution Khajuria reminded that the state assembly had kept aside a chunk of its seats — obviously unfilled — for members from PoK. Later leader of Opposition Shiv Charan Gupta also reminded that seats were constitutionally kept aside in the House for Kashmiris on the other side of the LoC.

“We cannot let go of what is legally part of us,” he said.

Speaker Andul Ahad Vakil overruled Sadiq Ali’s suggestion that the “sensitive” issue should not be debated. He said the house was not barred from discussing any area of the state which was constitutionally a part of it even if it was occupied by another country. “The question isof right, not of sensitivity,” Vakil said.

Later, Ali also argued that the subject did not concern the state assembly; the Parliament should debate it.

Congress leader Ashok Kumar Sharma reminded NC members that their party had supported the PoK resolution in Parliament, and indirectly criticised Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah for his frequent remarks suggesting that the LoC should be converted into an international border between India and Pakistan.