On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a sharp critique of the Congress-led INDIA bloc, accusing them of plotting to restore Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking at his first rally in Maharashtra ahead of the November 20 assembly elections, Modi claimed that Congress and its allies were attempting to weaken Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution to further the interests of separatists.
"You must have seen it on TV, two-three days ago, Congress and its allies created a ruckus in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly to re-implement Article 370. These people again want the Constitution of Babasaheb Ambedkar to be removed from Jammu and Kashmir. These people again want the reservation of Dalits, Valmiki community to be snatched away. Against the Constitution, against Dalits, backward classes, tribals, Congress is as much a part of this conspiracy as their other allies in the MVA," Modi remarked in Nashik, as quoted by news agency ANI.
Nashik: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public meeting ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections.(PTI)
In a rally in Dhule, Modi cautioned the voters against divisive strategies. He said, "Ek hai, toh safe hai," emphasizing that unity ensures safety. He accused the Congress of fostering caste-based divisions and asserted that no power could restore Article 370. Modi also promised to safeguard the interests of Dalits, Adivasis, and backward classes.
“Only Ambedkar’s constitution will be followed in J&K. You must have seen on TV how a resolution was moved in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly on bringing back Article 370 and when BJP MLAs protested, they were thrown out. The country and Maharashtra should understand this,” Modi said, as per news agency PTI.
The Prime Minister also took aim at Congress and its allies, accusing them of advancing a "Pakistan agenda." He alleged that they were displaying "blank books" and falsely presenting them as the Constitution, intending to incite Dalits and Adivasis. "The agenda won’t succeed till I have people’s blessings," he declared.
Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Chaos Over Article 370
For the third consecutive day, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was thrown into chaos as lawmakers clashed over a controversial resolution calling for the immediate restoration of special status to the region. The heated session saw loud confrontations, physical altercations, and a dramatic walkout by BJP members, some of whom were forcibly removed after jumping into the assembly well.
The unrest began on Wednesday when the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) introduced a resolution calling for the reinstatement of Articles 370 and 35A. The BJP swiftly opposed the move, deeming it "illegal" and demanding its withdrawal. However, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather firmly rejected their request, stating that only the House, not the Speaker, has the authority to overturn any resolution passed.
Tensions escalated further when BJP’s Leader of Opposition, Sunil Sharma, spoke during the session. Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) leader Sheikh Khursheed entered the well of the house, holding a banner calling for the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A. BJP members quickly intervened, tearing the banner down, leading to a brief scuffle involving People’s Conference MLA Sajad Lone. The confrontation prompted a 15-minute adjournment.
When the session resumed, BJP members continued their protests, ignoring the Speaker’s repeated pleas for order. "Do not force me to take actions I do not wish to take," Rather warned, as BJP members chanted slogans in honor of Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee, while NC members countered with chants about Jammu and Kashmir's historic autonomy.
The situation reached a boiling point when the Speaker ordered the removal of several BJP members, resulting in violent clashes with assembly marshals. Eventually, three BJP MLAs were escorted out, drawing applause from members of the treasury benches.
Minister Satish Sharma strongly condemned the BJP, accusing them of undermining the Constitution by allegedly standing on it during their protest and calling for disciplinary action against the protesting legislators.
Meanwhile, a coalition of PDP, People’s Conference, and AIP members introduced a new resolution condemning the 2019 abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A. Led by PDP’s Waheed Para, Fayaz Mir, and Sajad Lone of the People’s Conference, the resolution described the abrogation as “unconstitutional” and a violation of Jammu and Kashmir’s fundamental rights. In a separate statement, Lone criticized the NC for failing to adequately condemn the abrogation, suggesting that the situation was a "fixed match" between the NC and the BJP.
BJP MLA RS Pathania countered these efforts, accusing regional parties of attempting to "compromise the integrity" of the Assembly and reiterating that the abrogation of Article 370 is a settled matter.
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