Parliament urged to reaffirm its right to legislate on J

Chandigarh, Dec 3 (UNI) National Panthers Party Chairman Bhim Singh today urged Parliament to reaffirm its right to legislate on Jammu and Kashmir under the Instrument of Accession signed by Maharaja Hari Singh with India in 1947.

'' Parliament has abdicated its authority vis-a-vis Jammu and Kashmir and laws framed by it are not applicable to the state,'' he said while addressing a press conference here, adding it is the President who has been issuing ordinances for Jammu and Kashmir.

''Jammu and Kashmir should not be governed by ordinances issued by the President of India'', he said.

Mr Singh said through the 1947 accord Parliament should reaffirm its right legislate on at least four subjects of Defence, External Affairs, Communication and Ancillary (including currency)__ the matters which were left for the domain legislature to make laws for the state.

For this purpose the Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which is a temporary provision with respect to the State of Jammu and Kashmir, needs to be amended, he added.

He said even Pakistan does not challenge the Instrument of Accession that makes Jammu and Kashmir part of India.

The National Panthers Party launched ''Haq-Insaf Yatra'' from Lal Qila in Delhi to Lal Chowk in Srinagar yesterday. The yatra reached here last night. The 22-day yatra will pass through Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir before reaching Srinagar on December 23.

Prof Singh said the Nyay-Adhikar yatra has been launched to create an awakening against violence, corruption, nepotism and to strengthen the movement of national integration, secularism, patriotism and democracy so that India gains strength and capability to lead the world towards international peace and justice.

Referring to the plight of those who had migrated in the wake of ongoing militancy in the state, he demanded implementation of the Common Minimum Programme which promised the migrants social and physical security and return to their homes with diginity.

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