Modi's remarks on Article 370 trigger debate

Narendra Modi's remarks on Article 370 of the Constitution triggered a debate today with Congress and parties in Jammu and Kashmir rejecting any review of the provision, while BJP dismissed any suggestions that it has softened its stand on the issue.

His other remarks that women of Jammu and Kashmir are discriminated when they lose their rights of inheritance if they marry outside the state was also rebutted by mainstream parties in the state.

BJP leaders Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj said it would be incorrect to interpret Modi's demand for a debate as a "softening" of the party's stand on Article 370.

The Gujarat chief minister, who in his speech at the Jammu rally yesterday sought a debate on Article 370 whether it has been beneficial to the state or not, and came under attack from mainstream parties and separatists in Jammu and Kashmir today said it should be a "rational" debate.

"We need rational & focused debate not only on 370 but other issues relating to J&K, including suffering of sections of J&K society," Modi said on Twitter.

Seeking to take credit for raising the issue, he said, "Glad that after my call for a debate on Article 370, it is being widely debated among people & across TV, social media."

The mainstream parties, including National Conference, PDP and CPI-M, have attacked Modi for raking up "divisive" issues and said that Article 370 cannot be amended even by the Constitution because of its "permanent" nature.