Article 370 | Snatching Autonomy Fuels Secessionism: Nyla Ali Khan

Former J&K CM Sheikh Abdullah’s granddaughter talks about the effect abrogating Article 370 will have on Kashmir.

“There can be a backlash when people are pushed to the wall,” said Nyla Ali Khan, the granddaughter of former CM of Jammu and Kashmir Sheikh Abdullah and cousin of Omar Abdullah, on abrogation of Article 370.

(Image: Erum Gour/The Quint)

Video Editor: Abhishek Sharma & Mohd Irshad Alam

“The BJP had been critical of the Abdullah family and what it calls ‘dynastic politics’. I find that an attempt to hit below the belt,” said Nyla Ali Khan, the granddaughter of former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Sheikh Abdullah, and cousin of Omar Abdullah.

In an exclusive interview with The Quint, Khan, a US-based academician and author, speaks about what the effective abrogation of Article 370 will mean for Kashmir.

“It is of the utmost importance that the politicians in Kashmir – regardless of their ideological differences, regardless of their political differences – come to the table that they convene and that they make sure that every stakeholder has a place at the table. This is the time to fight a political battle for the restoration of statehood, for the restoration of autonomy, unity and integrity of Jammu and Kashmir.”

Nyla Ali Khan, Granddaughter of Former CM of J&K Sheikh Abdullah

‘There Can Be Backlash When Pushed to the Wall’

“I am hopeful that we will not lose our secularism. That Kashmiri Muslims will be able to fight this battle without playing into the hands of those who would like to see us react aggressively. But there can be backlash when people think that they have been pushed to a wall, that judiciary has lost its independence simply to accommodate majoritarianism. I will keep on hoping that they fight the battle through the ballot box, that they fight that battle through the judiciary.”

Nyla Ali Khan, Granddaughter of Former CM of J&K Sheikh Abdullah

Khan Rubbishes ‘Development’ As the Reason to Abrogate 370

“In 2002, the HC of Jammu and Kashmir made it very clear that a Kashmiri marrying a non-state subject will have the right to inherit parental and ancestral properties, and that right couldn’t be taken away from them. That ruling of the J&K HC was reinforced in 2016. 

Nyla Ali Khan, Granddaughter of Former CM of J&K Sheikh Abdullah

Taking Away Autonomy Fuels Secessionist Sentiment: Khan

“The ironic part is that the Article 370 has been abrogated by the BJP supposedly for national unity and emotional integration. But when a federal government takes away regional autonomy and rights, historically that has given rise to secessionism. Article 370 guaranteed that the people of Kashmir would not be coerced against their will to emotionally integrate with the Indian Union. Now with the revocation of Article 370, that symbolic as well as emotional significance has gone. There is a lot of pain and anger and demoralisation in Kashmir.” 

Nyla Ali Khan, Granddaughter of Former CM of J&K Sheikh Abdullah