PDP leader and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has hit out at the Centre for its ban on the Jamaat-e-Islami and the 10% reservation for economically weaker sections in Jammu and Kashmir, terming it as another example of its "high handedness and muscular approach" to deal with the Kashmir issue.
"Democracy is a battle of ideas , crackdown followed by banning of Jammat Islami (jk) is condemnable, another example of high handedness and muscular approach of GOI to deal with political issue of J&k ," she tweeted Friday.
The Centre on Thursday night also rolled out 10% reservation for economically weaker sections (EWS) in educational institutions and government jobs in Jammu and Kashmir and approved the benefit of promotion in service to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The new reservations will come in addition to existing quotas in the state.
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The government also announced that an ordinance will be promulgated to bring people residing in areas adjoining the International Border within the ambit of reservation on par with those living in areas adjoining the Actual Line of Control, in a move to reach out to the Jammu region. The Union home ministry said there had been no change in respect of Article 370 or 35A, which provides special rights and privileges to permanent residents of J&K.
The Union cabinet okayed “the proposal of Jammu & Kashmir Government regarding amendment to the Constitution (Application to Jammu & Kashmir) 0rder, 1954 by way of the Constitution (Application to Jammu & Kashmir) Amendment Order, 2019,” Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told a press conference.
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“It will serve the purpose of application of relevant provisions of the Constitution of India, as amended through the Constitution (77th Amendment) Act, 1995 and Constitution (103rd Amendment) Act, 2019 for Jammu and Kashmir, by issuing the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Amendment Order, 2019 by the President under clause (1) of Article 370,” a government release later added.
National Conference vice-president and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah appealed for a cautious approach and not to cause panic. “Why is social media linking this order to 35A? It’s about extending reservation. My lawyers tell me from the initial reading of it that it has no bearing on 35A at all. Please take a deep breath & ask experts before jumping to conclusions,” he tweeted.
The Centre on Thursday night banned the Jamat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir for five years under the anti-terror law on grounds that it was "in close touch" with militant outfits and is expected to "escalate secessionist movement" in Kashmir.
A notification, banning the group under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, was issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs after a high-level meeting on security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The notification said the Centre is of the opinion that the Jamaat is "in close touch with militant outfits" and is supporting extremism and militancy in Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere.
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It said the outfit claims "secession of a part of the Indian territory from the union" and supports terrorist and separatist groups fighting for this purpose.
The notification said the Jamaat has been indulging in activities intended to disrupt the territorial integrity of India.
During the intervening night of February 22 and 23, the police had carried out a crackdown on Jamaat cadres and arrested 100 across the valley, including its chief Abdul Hamid Fayaz and advocate Zahid Ali (spokesperson).
The action came following the February 14 terrorist attack in Pulwama, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed.
There have been allegations in the past that the group was a political outfit of banned terror organisation Hizbul Mujahideen but the group has denied this.
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The Centre is also of the opinion that the group is "involved in anti-national and subversive activities in the country intended to cause disaffection".
(With agency inputs)
