Kathua: The abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, has only exacerbated the issue of identity in the erstwhile state, according to Chaudhary Lal Singh, the Congress candidate from Udhampur-Doda.
In an interview with ThePrint, Singh, a two-time MP from Udhampur, called for special status for Jammu under another constitutional provision, Article 371, which is in force in several other states.
He said the scrapping of Article 370 in 2019 had only increased problems and created fresh ones in Jammu and Kashmir, which was made a Union Territory soon after.
“It pains us when they say we have removed Article 370 to integrate them (Jammu and Kashmir) with India. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have always been Indians,” Lal Singh said. He added: “There are so many people from this region who fight and die for the nation. You still don’t trust them? You think it has integrated now?”
While the Congress’s central leadership has walked a tightrope on the issue, Lal Singh’s stand is much clearer. “Article 370 was part of the Constitution. It was not given by an individual or Pakistan or China. It was given by the Constitution of India. I don’t think it was objectionable,” he said.
Singh, who is up against heavyweight Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) minister and incumbent Dr Jitendra Singh in J&K’s biggest constituency, returned to Congress in the run-up to the 2024 general elections, after a stint in the BJP and an attempt to form his own party.
Also read: SC verdict on Article 370 settles J&K question. But it dilutes powers of states
Article 371 – autonomy to religious, social groups
Article 371, and 371A to 371J, provide for “temporary, transitional, and special provisions” for 12 states including Gujarat and Maharashtra. These provisions, which vary from state to state, allow certain religious and social groups to have autonomy in conducting their affairs without interference from either the Centre or the state.
For instance, under Article 371A in Nagaland, Parliament cannot legislate on matters of religious or social practices, customary law, procedure, civil or criminal justice or ownership and transfer of land without the concurrence of the state assembly.
Similarly, special provisions under these articles are applicable to Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. In the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, the state governor holds a special responsibility to ensure region-specific development, technical and vocational education, and employment opportunities.
Like Article 370 and 35A did for Jammu and Kashmir, Article 371 and 371A-J in several states imposes restrictions on the sale of land. Ownership of land is a major issue that Singh has raised. His demand is to save the “Dogra identity”.
In Nagaland, non-residents are prohibited from buying land. In Mizoram, too, non-residents are not allowed to buy land, except in the case of industries by the private sector.
“I continue to demand Article 371. Then our identity will be safe. It is there in parts of Gujarat and Maharashtra. We are Dogras. Why not Article 371 for us? Is our identity any less than others?” asked Lal Singh.
Singh has also demanded a separate state of Jammu in the past, which he says he will raise with the party leadership.
Left Congress in 2014, back in 2024
Singh left the Congress 10 years ago after being denied a ticket. At that time, former CM Ghulam Nabi Azad was fielded from Udhampur. “They had given me a commitment. But that was not fulfilled,” he said, wondering where “that person” was who had snatched his seat. Azad left the Congress in August 2022 and launched his own political outfit soon after.
About his return, Lal Singh said the party leadership first got in touch with him last year during Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, which culminated in Srinagar. They reached out to him again before the Lok Sabha polls. “Only when everyone comes together, will we be able to fight them. I was also fighting my war against the system earlier.”
Singh has focused his campaign on attacking local MP Jitendra Singh, trying to gain from “anti-incumbency” sentiments. “The biggest issue is their candidate. He didn’t even meet the people when it came to getting their work done. He has done nothing,” he said. “When laws were made against Jammu, he kept thumping the table in Parliament.”
On ED scanner & Kathua
The Congress leader has had his share of controversies in the past, being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate last November in a money-laundering case tied to an educational trust run by his wife.
Back in 2018, he had to resign as a state minister and then from the BJP, after it was alleged that he participated in a rally in support of those accused of the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl from Kathua.
Lal Singh, however, denies these allegations. The issue was also raised by the Opposition when he rejoined the Congress last month.
(Edited by Tikli Basu)
Also read: Why Congress took back Choudhary Lal Singh, J&K ex-minister who supported Kathua rape accused