CPI denounces scrapping Articles 370, 35A
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 07 2019: Terming the scrapping of Articles 370 and 35A as the start of the onslaught on Indian democracy, CPI National Executive Member Dr M Nara has asserted that CPI and other like-minded Left parties in the State will continue protesting and campaigning against the BJP's undemocratic conducts and authoritarian rule.

He also said that people of Manipur and North East should remain alert while cautioning that a similar act could be carried out in the region by the BJP led NDA Government.

Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of a protest organised against the scrapping of Articles 370 and 35A, which was held at Irawat Bhavan today, the CPI veteran leader further alleged that the scrapping of the said provisions from Jammu and Kashmir is part of the BJP's consistent effort to make the country a "Hindu Rashtra".

Noting that amending Indian Constitution or scrapping Articles from the Constitution in a democratic manner from time to time is a natural process and a part of a democratic set up, Nara maintained that the hasty amendment of the Constitution in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha, which resulted in the removal of Articles 370 and 35A from Jammu and Kashmir without the consent of the people, is an open violation of Parliamentary norms.

Further questioning the need for scrapping Articles 370 and 35A from Jammu and Kashmir hastily without considering the views and aspirations of the people and the politicians of the State, he alleged that BJP championing authoritarian rule in the country.

Claiming that BJP has shortened the period of Amarnath Yatra and is sending huge additional forces to Jammu and Kashmir on the pretext of security measures against possible terror attacks, Nara criticized that vocal politicians from Jammu and Kashmir were put under house arrest in an effort to forcibly scrap Articles 370 and 35A.He went on state that the BJP's action will have repercussions in the country thereby defeating the essence of democracy.

The CPI leader pointed out that citizens in India, especially in Manipur and North East region should remain alert and take meaningful academic and political discourse on BJP's undemocratic and authoritarian conducts.

Many politicians and members of Left parties, including CPI (M), All India Forward Bloc and RSP attended the protest meeting.

Mention may be made that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and other Left parties called a Nationwide protest today, condemning the scrapping of Article 370 of the Constitution and bifurcating Jammu & Kashmir amid massive troop buildup and a clampdown by Central forces.

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