A Nation Is Its People, Not Plots of Land: Rahul on Article 370

“This abuse of executive power has grave implications for our national security,” Gandhi added.

File photo of Rahul Gandhi speaking at a rally in Delhi.

(Photo: PTI)

National integration cannot be achieved by "unilaterally" tearing apart Jammu and Kashmir, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Tuesday, 6 August, a day after the Centre revoked provisions of Article 370 that gave special status to the state.

"This abuse of executive power has grave implications for our national security," he added.

The government had on Monday revoked provisions of Article 370 to take away Jammu and Kashmir's special status, and proposed the bifurcation of the state into two Union territories – Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Two Congress Leaders Ditch Party Line

As the Congress vehemently opposed the scrapping of the constitutional provision that accorded special status to Jammu and Kashmir, some party leaders raised voices of dissent and supported the government’s move.

While Congress leader Janardan Dwivedi said a "historical mistake" has been corrected by the government, his party colleague Deepender Hooda contended that the abrogation of Article 370 "is in the interest of national integrity".

‘Constitutional Tragedy’

Congress leader Manish Tewari, leading his party’s charge against the motion to revoke Article 370, said that the Parliament deliberating instead of the J&K Assembly, was a “constitutional tragedy.”

“Without permission of the Constituent Assembly... you can’t abrogate Article 370. This is a wrong interpretation of the Constitution. It’s not just about Article 370, there is Article 371A still, which applies to some Northeastern states. What message are you sending to these states? That we can do the same without consulting them?” 

Manish Tewari in LS