J&K's separatists warn "mass agitation" if Article 35A is changed
Separatists in J&K have threatened another round of agitations against the Mehbooba Mufti-led government if the State Subject Law under Article 35 A of the Indian Constitution is tinkered with. This comes even as the Supreme Court prepares to resume hearings on Article 35 A, under which Indian citizens who aren't J&K residents, can't acquire immovable property or gain voting rights in the state.
Separatists reject Centre's calls for dialogue over J&K violence
On October 25, the separatist Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) in J&K hardened its stance saying they won't accept anything less than freedom from India. They said they would continue fighting until the last Army jawan leaves J&K. This came after the Centre named former Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief Dineshwar Sharma as an interlocutor to begin a sustained dialogue with all stakeholders in J&K.
Who all are part of the JRL?
The JRL comprises of Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani, Moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and J&K Liberation Front chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik, who led the unrest in the state last year.
What the JRL has threatened
The JRL said, "People should be ready to launch a mass agitation if the Supreme Court verdict goes against the interests and aspiration of the people of the state." It said a conspiracy is underway to change the Muslim-majority state's demography. It said if the State Subject Laws is revoked or amended, a Palestine-like situation will arise as outsiders will settle down in J&K.
