Statehood will return, Article 370 will not: J&K BJP to Mirwaiz

Jammu and Kashmir’s ruling BJP unit on Sunday rejected calls for the revival of Article 370, asserting that the constitutional provision will not return and that statehood will be restored at an appropriate time. Speaking at a press conference in Srinagar, BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur condemned Chief Imam Mirwaiz Umar Farooq for advocating the reinstatement of the controversial clause, which was revoked by the Indian government in 2019. Thakur accused Mirwaiz of attempting to incite unrest and undermine the stability achieved in the region following years of conflict. Thakur emphasized that the abrogation of Article 370 was a historic decision taken by Parliament on August 5, 2019, and later affirmed by the Supreme Court. He warned that any effort to challenge this decision would be met with firm resistance. “Article 370 is not coming back,” he declared. “Parliament has buried Article 370 forever, and no political party, leader or pressure group can reverse that constitutional reality.” He argued that such statements risked plunging the region back into turmoil, citing the cost of past conflicts and the sacrifices made by security personnel and civilians. The BJP leader highlighted the current aspirations of the youth in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing their desire for education, employment, and economic growth rather than returning to a cycle of violence and shutdowns. “Our youth want opportunities, they do not want to return to an era when shutdown calendars dictated their lives and violence dictated the future,” Thakur said. He stressed that while political parties have the freedom to express their views, they must respect the constitutional order and avoid stoking agitation over issues that have already been resolved. Thakur also clarified the distinction between statehood and Article 370, stating that the BJP supports the eventual restoration of statehood but makes no mention of reviving the former constitutional provision. “There is a clear distinction between Statehood and Article 370. Statehood will be restored at an appropriate time, as has been stated by the Government. But there is absolutely no question of bringing back Article 370,” he said. He urged those promoting confusion on the issue to cease misleading the public. The comments come amid ongoing discussions about the political future of Jammu and Kashmir, with some voices calling for greater autonomy or even full statehood. However, the BJP maintains a firm stance against any move that could destabilize the region. Thakur reiterated that the government’s position is clear and that efforts to challenge the constitutional status quo would not be tolerated. “Democracy gives everyone the right to speak and participate, but democracy cannot be reduced to repeatedly demanding the reversal of a constitutional decision that has already been upheld by the highest court of the country,” he said. As tensions continue to evolve in the region, the BJP’s position reflects a broader narrative that emphasizes stability and progress over revisiting contentious historical decisions. With the focus shifting toward economic development and social harmony, the party’s message underscores the importance of maintaining the current constitutional framework. The debate over statehood and Article 370 remains a sensitive topic, with diverse opinions shaping the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.