Srinagar, Aug 20(KNS): Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President and MLA Shalteng, Tariq Hameed Karra, responded sharply to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's introduction of three Bills in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
The Bills propose automatic removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers who remain under arrest on serious criminal charges for more than 30 days.
The legislation has been referred to a Joint Committee of Parliament, drawing strong opposition protests.
Reacting to the development, Karra said that the Bills represent a deeper shift from democracy to autocracy. He said the move was emblematic of a hegemonic approach that sidelines democratic values and institutions. Referring to the arrest of a minister on the 31st day, he said the action was part of a broader trend that concentrates power and limits democratic space.
Karra said the government was operating out of fear and distrust, not only of the Opposition but also of its own public image. He said such legislative actions raise concerns about misuse of power and erosion of political freedoms. He added that the ruling establishment’s policies on internal security, foreign relations, and particularly on Jammu and Kashmir, had not delivered, and the Bills reflect growing anxiety rather than confidence.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
He also pointed to the recent deployment of 20 CRPF battalions exclusively to Kashmir, calling it a sign of continued militarisation. He said that rather than moving toward demilitarisation or political resolution, the government was increasing its security footprint in the region.
Karra said the timing and intent behind the new Bills appear to be aimed at controlling dissent and consolidating executive power.
He also questioned why the issue of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood was not part of the legislative agenda. He said people in the region had hoped for restoration of their democratic rights and status, but those concerns continue to be ignored.
He warned that what is happening in Jammu and Kashmir today could set a precedent for similar centralised actions in other states tomorrow. He said the spirit of federalism and democracy was being weakened, and the people of Jammu and Kashmir would not forget how they are being treated.(KNS).