Jammu 20 Aug. Prof.Bhim Singh, Chief Patron of National Panthers Party, Executive Chairman of State Legal Aid Committee, J&K & Founder, Indo-Palestine Friendship of Society expressed surprise on the unmindful statements by several power hungry politicians and others in respect of Article 35(A) in the Indian Constitution. Prof.Bhim Singh while addressing a conference of distinguished lawyers and social activists in New Delhi has appreciated Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu, a cricketer to display sportsmanship in Islamabad by hugging Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Bajwa the other day on 18th August, 2018 at the time of swearing in ceremony of Pakistan’s cricketer Prime Minister. He appreciated and called on those who still believe to settle Indo-Pak affairs through guns asking them to learn a lesson from sportsman that two neighbouring countries can embrace each other and live in peace particularly India and Pakistan who were Members of one family for thousands of years till 1947. He called on the opportunist and angry groups of some people in Kashmir who have been exploiting consciously or unconsciously the local population while favouring an illegal, unconstitutional and dictatorial Article—35(A). It was unconstitutional because it was created by someone who had no authority or power vested in him. Secondly, Article 35(A) empowered the Kashmir Govt. to demolish all the Fundamental Rights of the residents of J&K in 1954.
Prof.Bhim Singh called on the lawyers community, the social activists and political thinkers to read Article 35(A) and give their opinions whether 35(A) has bundled the Fundamental Rights of the Indian citizens in J&K? Prof.Bhim Singh wondered how leaders of National Conference are trying to mislead the innocent Kashmiris regarding the threat caused by Article 35(A). Unfortunately, these were the rulers of J&K who have been governing the J&K mercilessly smashing their Fundamental Rights and using the draconian laws—like Public Safety Act under the garb of security of the state. How many legislators, political activists, the youth fighting for their Fundamental Rights in Kashmir have suffered from the bullets of the J&K rulers particularly since 1982 after the demise of Sheikh Mohd. Abdullah.
Prof.Bhim Singh appreciated a cricketer by profession and a state government minister per chance like Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu that he could demonstrate the courage of an Indian to hug a Pakistan Army Chief in public which was the expression of real feelings of every Indian towards the people of Pakistan. Prof.Bhim Singh said that during my visits to Lahore, Islamabad and POK several times he experienced the same emotions the people there had towards India. People want peace and not war. This is the message that a cricketer had fans with spontaneous act of hugging Pakistani General.
Prof.Bhim Singh called on all activists of the Hurriyat Conference and even Jamat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir as it is claimed, to join him (Bhim Singh) on debate on the issue from any spot from Kashmir to Kanyakumari or Kanyakumari to Islamabad. The people are people whether in India or Islamabad or Bangladesh and the people want peace and live in the great old era we had enjoyed for centuries in the Indian continent.
Prof.Bhim Singh wondered why the ex-rulers of J&K have been shouting so loud and shedding crocodile tears for the so-called freedom and liberty which they have destroyed in J&K. He said that I myself am living example who Dr. Farooq Abdullah as a Chief Minister got me arrested twice at the Gates of Secretariat, Jammu and Srinagar so that I as a sitting MLA could attend the Assembly. It was Dr. Farooq Abdullah, the then Chief Minister who got me declared defeated in the Lok Sabha election in 1988. I had won Lok Sabha election by 32,000 votes still Dr. Farooq Abdullah, the Chief Minister of J&K sided with Indian Govt. to get me declared defeated. I won the battle in Supreme Court. As different matters they are the ones who are talking of Article 35(A) which has given the power of a political butcher to the rulers of J&K. Article 35(A) is a naked two ways sword for the people of J&K. The people of J&K shall get freedom, liberty, shall get an opportunity to enjoy all Fundamental Rights like all other residents the day this hanging rope, Article 35(A) is gone.
