Srinagar, Nov 19: As Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi announced abrupt repeal of three controversial farms laws once hailed as “reformative”, National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party on Friday demanded rescinding of 5 August 2019 and subsequent decisions.
“Desecrating Indian constitution to dismember & disempower J&K was done only to please their voters. I hope they course correct here too & reverse the illegal changes made in J&K since August 2019,” PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti and former Chief Minister of erstwhile J&K state said in a tweet.
Hasain Masoodi, NC’s member parliament from south Kashmir and former judge of the High Court on Friday demanded revocation of 5th August 2019 decisions and repeal of Reorganisation Act and other laws brought since.
He said that 5 August 2019 decisions are unconstitutional by virtue of J&K was stripped of its special constitutional status, fragmented and downgraded from State to Union Territory.
“The decision to withdraw the three controversial farm laws after unreasonably defending and justifying these for one long year unmindful of the widespread outrage and 800 farmers deaths and huge loss to the property is a clear shift from politics of arrogance to one of introspection and reappraisal,” Masoodi said.
“ It also depicts a realisation on part of the Prime Minister and Central Government that before pushing through on the strength of majority legislation on important issues, the proposed legislation, in tune with the well established democratic practices, should be placed in public domain for wider discussion and deliberations at pre-legislation stage,” he said, adding, “The decision also teaches us that there is nothing like “ hands of a clock cannot be moved back” assertion and decision taken can always be given a fresh look whenever the circumstances so demand.”
Masoodi also asked the Prime Minister to undertake similar introspection in case of 5th August 2019 decisions and repeal the laws and revoke decisions whereby Jammu and Kashmir was unilaterally, unconstitutionally and unethically denuded of its special status, dismembered and downgraded to Union Territory.
“Statement reminds the Prime Minister that the 5th August 2019 decisions like farm laws have resulted in death and destruction, uncertainty, and large scale discontent. The decisions as admitted by the Prime Minister have widened the gulf between people of Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh and the rest of the Country,” he said, adding, “The decisions also have caused a huge drain on precious and scarce resources of the Country that rightfully belong to the millions of underprivileged and disempowered countrymen.”
Masoodi asked the political parties and civil society groups at the national level to support just cause and political aspirations of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh like they extended unwavering support to the farmer’s struggle and support the demand for undoing 5th August 2019 decisions.
“The farmers long drawn struggle has also a lesson for people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and political parties that steadfastness, perseverance and unity and not short term political gains, ultimately help us to succeed in our struggle for realisation of genuine political goals even when faced with arrogance, and resistance,” the statement, added.
He implored all the political forces to stand for political aspirations of the people of Jammu, Kashmir to learn a lesson from the unity exhibited by all those engaged in struggle against farm laws and in the interest of people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and rest of the Country unitedly strive for the restoration of special status guaranteed under the Constitution. gns