Letters: Repeal Article 370

Afzal Guru’s hanging is victory of our country’s patriotic forces. It exposes the falsehood of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who had said in a press conference before the last parliamentary election, that a decision on Guru’s mercy petition would be made only after decisions were taken in the earlier 21 mercy petitions. It is a pity that curfew had to be declared in Kashmir to prevent untoward incidents. That signifies the need to abrogate the obnoxious Article 370, and bring Kashmir on a par with all other states. Kashmir’s special status comes in the way of its development. The article was inserted in the Constitution as a temporary measure and its continuation has resulted in the exodus of patriotic Indians from Kashmir to other parts of the country, and prevented citizens from other states to enter Kashmir. It has adversely affected secularism in Kashmir. The time is ripe to liberate the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, implementing the resolution passed by both the Houses of Parliament unanimously on February 22, 1994 — some 19 years ago.

K G Acharya Mumbai

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