Congress Leaders Criticize Modi Government Over J&K Reorganisation Act Amendment

Congress leaders Ghulam Ahmad Mir and Mallikarjun Kharge have criticized the Centre's decision to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act. They argue that the amendments are another instance of the Modi government's betrayal of the region, postponing full statehood and empowering the LG further.

In response to the Centre's decision to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir on Tuesday described it as a 'positive news for them.' Mir stated, 'The central government has brought the amendment as it is aware that their decision of August 5, 2019, in which statehood was converted to a Union Territory and the authorities of the state were centralised, was an injustice done to the people of the erstwhile state.'

Mir further explained, 'LG is the person who runs the state, so in a way, they have transferred some of the powers to the chief of the state. In another way, maybe they are trying to curtail the powers of the future elected agency.' Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge asserted that the Modi government's betrayal of J-K continues unabated.

In a post on X, Kharge emphasized that this step signifies another example of 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' occurring daily under Modi's administration. He stated, 'The insertion of new sections giving more powers to the LG by amending the Rules under Section 55 of the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, has only two meanings. First, the Modi government intends to delay the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, despite the Supreme Court's mandate for Assembly Elections by Sept 30th, 2024. Second, even if full statehood is restored, it aims to keep the newly elected state government at the mercy of the LG, by clamping its executive power.' The principal rules were published in the Gazette of India on August 27, 2020, and subsequently amended on February 28, 2024. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)