Budgam. National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah said that the decision to revoke Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was taken by Parliament, not God. Omar stressed that this decision can be reversed. Omar was reacting to the remarks made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah at an election rally held in Jammu on Monday. Shah had said that Article 370 has been buried in the pages of history and it will never again become a part of the Indian Constitution.
“Nothing is impossible,” the NC vice president said. He also blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government for the rise in terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir. “The central government has been in control (of Jammu and Kashmir) for six years. If terror attacks are taking place in Jammu once again, if pilgrims are targeted in Reasi, if armed forces are being attacked and if brave officers and soldiers are being killed in encounters, who is responsible for this?” Omar asked.
Referring to Shah’s comment on Article 370, Omar said, “It was the decision of the Parliament, not God. Any decision taken by the Parliament can be changed. If five judges of the Supreme Court gave a verdict in favour of removing it, then is it not possible that tomorrow a bench of seven judges will again give a verdict in favour of Article 370?”
He said Shah should first tell the people who is responsible for the rise in terror incidents in Jammu. “You can blame us for our mistake but if terrorism increases in Jammu region then BJP should be held responsible for it,” Omar said. He expressed confidence that people will give a clear mandate to the NC-Congress alliance in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. Omar is contesting from two assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir – Budgam and Ganderbal.
