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Kashmiri Pandits: Scrapping Article 35A will end injustice

Supreme Court is set to resume the hearing on the Article 35A on August 6.

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Kashmiri men protest against attempts to revoke article 35A and 370 in Srinagar on Wednesday
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Even as tension mounts in Kashmir in the run up to the hearing in the Supreme Court on Article 35A, migrant Kashmiri pandits have demanded that the state subject law be struck down to end decades of injustice with the daughters of the state.

Supreme Court is set to resume the hearing on the Article 35A on August 6. Charu Wali Khanna, a native of Jammu and Kashmir, married to a non-Kashmiri and settled outside the state has challenged the legality of Article 35A in the Supreme Court on the grounds that the law disenfranchises her and takes away her succession rights. NGOs and other groups too have challenged the validity of the law.

"For the last 30 years we have been victims of Article 35A. Our daughters married people outside the state. By virtue of Article 35A, they will lose ancestral rights in Jammu and Kashmir. Some people have only daughters. And if they marry outside, what will happen to their property? She will lose everything," said Ashwani Kumar Chrungu, president Panun Kashmir, the apex body of migrant Kashmiri pandits.

Chrungu said that technically this article is illegal because it has been made part of the constitution without going for an amendment in the parliament.

The Pandits' demand for scraping the state subject law notwithstanding, Kashmir is bracing for another bout of unrest if Article 35A is struck down. From civil society groups to separatists to Kashmir Inc, the valley is waiting for the decision with bated breath.

Traders, businessmen and entrepreneurs on Wednesday led a protest march demanding quashing the petition that challenges Article 35A. Chanting slogans, Kashmir Inc vowed to protect the state subject law.

"Central Government and the powers that be should realise that abrogation and repeal of Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution of India would re-open the question of the State's accession to the Union of India and invalidate the constitutional bridge that connects the State to the rest of the country," said Nasir Aslam Wani, Provincial President of the main opposition National Conference.

BJP, however, said that people should respect the court's verdict. "Whatever decision the court takes will be good for everyone. All of us should respect and implement the court verdict," said Sofi Yousuf, state BJP vice president.

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“Central Government and the powers that be should realise that abrogation and repeal of Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution of India would re-open the question of the State’s accession to the Union of India and invalidate the constitutional bridge that connects the State to the rest of the country,” said Nasir Aslam Wani, Provincial President of the main opposition National Conference

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