SUHAIL KHAN
SRINAGAR, Nov 7: R.S. Pathania, BJP MLA from Ramnagar, has sharply criticized the National Conference (NC), alleging that the party is steering Kashmir toward a period of darkness by pursuing a resolution for the restoration of Article 370. Pathania’s comments, made during an exclusive interview with Kashmir Despatch, accuse the NC of undermining the democratic process and risking the stability of Jammu and Kashmir.
Describing the resolution passed by the NC-led majority in the Assembly as a “fraud on the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Pathania condemned the move as a political ploy that exploits the emotions of the region’s residents. “This resolution is nothing more than a deception,” he remarked, “and it’s an attempt by the National Conference to revive a historical issue that has already been settled by the Parliament and the Supreme Court.”
Pathania argued that by passing the resolution, the NC has degraded the Assembly’s integrity and diminished the democratic process. “The National Conference has turned the Assembly into a stage for political drama, mocking the principles of democracy. They are challenging a decision taken by India’s Parliament, a body with the ultimate authority on constitutional matters,” he asserted.
According to Pathania, the Assembly, operating under the Reorganisation Act, lacks the legal jurisdiction to question either Parliament or the Supreme Court. “Article 370 is a closed chapter. The Supreme Court has clarified there is no provision for special status anymore,” he stated. “This Assembly is bound by its statutory role and cannot challenge Parliament’s authority, let alone the judiciary’s verdict on such matters.”
Expressing his commitment to counter this “political fraud,” Pathania emphasized that he and his colleagues in the BJP would persistently oppose NC’s actions. “We cannot allow Kashmir to be pushed back into a phase of violence and instability. These efforts by the NC risk undoing the hard-won peace and may reignite suffering among our people,” he warned.
Pathania added that NC’s tactics not only harm democratic values but also resonate with pro-Pakistan and separatist narratives, endangering Kashmir’s hard-earned stability. “Today marks a dark chapter in our democracy, where the National Conference has shown hostility toward those who disagree with its political maneuvers,” he remarked.
Pathania concluded by underscoring the dangers posed by NC’s approach. “The people see through this political ploy. The resolution’s narrative aligns with separatist agendas and lacks any constitutional legitimacy. It has brought harm to both security personnel and civilians alike, reigniting dangerous ideologies,” he cautioned.
