There is currently no proposal to scrap Article 370 which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
Ahir was replying to a written question by BJP MP Ashwini Kumar, who asked whether the government was committed to scrapping Article 370 of the Constitution.
“There is currently no such proposal under consideration of the government,” Ahir said.
The BJP’s election manifesto of 2014 reiterated its stand on Article 370 and promised to discuss this with all stakeholders and to remain committed to the abrogation of Article 370.
It was one of the core and contentious issues along with the Uniform Civil Code and building of the Ram Mandir.
In a separate question on statements made by the Centre’s interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma on violence in Jammu and Kashmir, Ahir said Sharma had recently visited border areas in view of recent cease-fire violations and suggested some measures for the local population. These included shifting residents and constructing bunkers.
The question was asked by Congress’ Jyotiraditya Scindia and Gaurav Gogoi.
Ahir said the government was keen to bring peace in the state and was ready to hold dialogue with all sections of society who shun the path of violence.
“The government has also continuously encouraged policies to bring youth to the mainstream. These include providing employment opportunities to wean them away from militancy,” he said.
