UNI

Srinagar, Jun 7: Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy has demanded abrogation of Article 370 from the constitution, which accords special status to Jammu and Kashmir, saying the militants have driven out the Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley and thus disturbed the religious balance in the state.

Addressing a news conference here, he said the Article 370 was incorporated to help preserve the religious balance in the state.

"Jammu and Kashmir is not an Islamic state just because Muslims are in majority. The state has a glorious Hindu and Buddhist past, and also all Hindus of Kashyap gotra living in other parts of India are residents of Kashmir since Rishi Kashyap created the Valley," Swamy added.

He said the Janata Party considered the whole of Jammu and Kashmir, including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the areas in possession of China, as an integral and inalienable part of India.

"It is a consequence of the signing of the Instrument of Accession by the Maharaja," the Janata Party Chief added.

Swamy said his party rejects any talks on the future of the state that accepts any concept of autonomy beyond what is permissible in the Constitution.

"This is the correct and legal position since the Instrument of Acession is as valid as the creation of Pakistan in 1947. if Pakistan questions the accession, then India can question the partition," he added.

Swamy said the status of Jammu and Kashmir was settled as an integral and inalienable part of India. "We reject any assurances of plebiscite given by Jawaharlal Nehru as illegal as he did not have the authority of the Cabinet or Parliament for it," he added.

He favoured bombing of training camps in PoK and in Pakistan as a part of the strategy to finish militancy in the state.

Swamy said his party favoured setting up of IIT, IIM, AIIMS and three central universities in the state and also developing the IT hardware industry to promote education and employment.

He said the Janata Party would re-activate the Jammu and Kashmir unit in the Valley on the basis of a clear policy on militancy, autonomy and economic development of the state.