Jamaat-e-Islami Hind: Govt’s recent decisions over J&K, against basic principles of democracy

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind says Govt’s recent decisions over J&K, against basic principles of democracy    New Delhi: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) has termed the recent steps taken by the NDA government on Jammu and Kashmir as being opposed to the basic principles of the parliamentary democracy.  In a media statement, the JIH President, Syed Sadatullah Hussaini said:“the provisions of Article 370 of the constitution, which awarded special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was abrogated suddenly and unilaterally through a Presidential order without consulting the people and their representatives. The government did not stop at that but also divided the state into two and changed its status to that of a Union Territory. These extremely sensitive decisions having far-reaching implications were taken without consulting the people nor were they taken into confidence. Rather, several restrictions were placed in the state, and a climate of fear was created. This kind of decision-making is against the norms of a parliamentary democracy and extremely damaging to the federal polity of our country.”  Expressing serious concern, the JIH President said: “The fundamental rights of the people of the state are being violated through this decision. Military presence has been increased substantially. Political leadership has been jailed, educational institutions have been closed and means of communications are non-functional. Deploying such efforts to enforce decisions in a climate of coercion is a matter of concern for the entire country.”  The Jamaat chief demanded the government to take back these unilateral steps and decisions and conduct elections in Jammu and Kashmir. He further demanded,"the government must immediately release the leadership that has been arrested, restore the means of communication and modes of transport for the people and end the climate of fear and terror."  The JIH President said, "We would like to reiterate our long-standing position that the affairs of Jammu and Kashmir must be resolved by talks, consultation and dialogue with the people of the state and their representatives.”