JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said Article 370 represents the pluralistic ethos of the State and warned disturbing it would go not only against the interests of the State and but the country as well.
Replying to the discussion on demand of grants for the Departments under her charge in Legislative Assembly in Jammu, Mehbooba termed Article 370 as a protection to the pluralistic ethos of the State.
She said those asking for its scrapping don’t know that it is linked to the political character of the people of the State.
"It is Article 370 which has persuaded the people of the State to reject the monolith concept of living and adopt a pluralistic way in tune with the traditions and ethos of the place," Mehbooba said adding Article 370 would be preserved in its form and efforts to dilute it would not be allowed.
The CM appealed members cutting across party lines to play their role in countering the activities of such elements.
She said within and outside the state such elements not only jeopardise the positive work done by various shades of political opinion but also put people of the State to immense trouble.
Referring to Agenda of Alliance framed by BJP and PDP for running government in the State, she said it is a matter of satisfaction for her that the Agenda of Alliance (AoA) has become a referral point not only in the State but at the national level as well.
She said even the opposition is seeking implementation of AoA as it is for the first time such a document of substance for governance has been prepared.
Mehbooba said she has met the Prime Minister and union Home Minister a number of times and both have expressed their keen interest in the effective implementation of AoA.
She said if Delhi does not consider AoA on which all have consensus, it would not be discrimination with J&K but with entire India because the consequences of not implementing Agenda of Alliance would be unpleasant.
On opposition National Conference working president and former chief minister Omar Abdullah's charge that she and her government is following Doval doctrine, Mehbooba said, “My document is Mufti doctrine. I follow it and we all follow it. I don’t believe in Doval or Dulat doctrine. However, if both Dulat and Doval help us to implement this Mufti’s doctrine, we will welcome them”.
Expressing dismay over the death and devastation during the unrest of last year triggered by killing of Hizbul militant commander Burhan Wani on July 8 last year, Mehbooba said her Government is continuously reviewing the status of PSA detentions in the State. She said during the last few days only 30 such detainees were released by the Government.
“Besides, two elderly persons from Baramulla, as pointed by certain members, have also been released”, she said.
Over 8000 people were arrested and more than 550 of them booked under infamous Public Safety Act during unrest in valley.
At least 94 people including two policemen were killed in over five month long unrest in the valley. Besides, 13000 people including 8000 hit by pellets were injured in security forces firing during the over five month long unrest.