Owaisi said that if the Centre tinkers with 35A, it would send wrong message to Naga separatists with whom the government is holding talks

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi urged NDA government at the Centre to act rationally on Article 35A and not treat it as a poll issue.

His comments came ahead of speculation that the government is scrapping Article 35A, which gives special privileges to Jammu and Kashmir. Article 35A of the Constitution is an article that empowers the Jammu and Kashmir state’s legislature to define “permanent resident” of the state and provide special rights and privileges to those permanent residents. “The Modi government should take the decision rationally. 

Elections come and go,” said Owaisi, terming issue of Article 35A “very



sensitive”.

He said if Article 35A was tinkered, even Hindus of Jammu would not like it. “The article is always described as the issue of Muslims. Even a BJP MLA gave a statement against the issue saying it (Article 35A ) applies to complete Valley and not just Kashmir,” he said.

He also took a dig at the Centre, saying what messages would people of Nagaland get if Article 35A is scrapped. “You (central government ) speak about 35A (scrapping it) and at the same time, Modi government is speaking to Naga separatists, who were given special provision using 371 (A). So what message are you giving to them if Article 35A is tinkered.”