BJP's Amit Malviya dares Congress to keep Art 370 restoration as main poll plank in 2024

On Sunday, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya hit out at senior Congress MP P Chidambaram for backing demand of 6 mainstream political parties in Jammu and Kashmir. In a joint statement issued on August 22, NC's Farooq Abdullah, PDP's Mehbooba Mufti, Congress' GA Mir, CPI(M) leader MY Tarigami, J&K People's Conference leader Sajad Gani Lone and ANC's Muzaffar Shah resolved to strive for restoration of Articles 370 and 35A and statehood. Malviya alleged that some of India's enemies are in Congress party as well.

Moreover, he challenged Congress to keep reinstatement of Articles 370 and 35A as central issue of 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Earlier in day, Chidambaram urged 6 J&K parties to remain steadfast on ir demands and igre uninformed criticism.  Rajya Sabha MP contended that  attempt to re-write history must be thwarted. 

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6 political parties in J&K flay Centre's measures

Revealing that y have barely mand to establish a basic level of communication with each or, leaders of 6 mainstream political parties in J&K accused  government of imposing punitive curbs aimed at impeding political interactions. As per joint statement, division of state into Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh was deemed "unacceptable". Terming  series of measures undertaken on August 5, 2019, as "grossly unconstitutional", leaders observed that changes posed a challenge to basic identity of people of J&K. Furrmore, y alleged that se changes were accompanied by repressive measures to silence people. 

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Mehbooba Mufti remains under detention

In August 2019, a presidential tification along with pass of requisite legislation in both Houses of Parliament resulted in Article 370 becoming virtually redundant. Furrmore, state was bifurcated into Union Territory of J&K and Union Territory of Ladakh. Subsequently, several restrictions on movement of people, communication, and internet services were imposed in region.

Multiple leaders including former Chief Ministers Farooq and Omar Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti were detained. While Public Safety Act charges against Abdullah far-son duo were withdrawn in March 2020, Mufti was recently shifted to her Gupkar Road residence in Srinagar. On July 31, her detention under PSA was extended by three months.

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