JAMMU, Oct 3: The Shiv Sena Dogra Front, under the leadership of its President Sh. Ashok Gupta, has opposed any move to revive the pre-1953 constitutional arrangement of Jammu and Kashmir, including the earlier provisions concerning separate posts of Prime Minister and Sadar-e-Riyasat.
Addressing the issue, Ashok Gupta said that the recent Jammu and Kashmir Assembly resolution seeking restoration of full statehood makes reference to earlier Assembly resolutions dated June 26, 2000, and November 6, 2024. He said the 2000 autonomy resolution had sought restoration of the pre-1953 constitutional position, including the earlier designations of Prime Minister, or Wazir-e-Azam, and Sadar-e-Riyasat.
Gupta stated that there cannot be two Prime Ministers in one country and said his organisation would not accept any arrangement that provides for a separate Prime Minister or separate head of state for Jammu and Kashmir. He maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and that the constitutional system should remain uniform across the country.
He further said that the demand for restoration of statehood should not be used as a means to revive a separate constitutional arrangement. According to him, discussions concerning the constitutional future of Jammu and Kashmir should remain within the framework of the Constitution of India.
The Shiv Sena Dogra Front also called upon political parties to clarify whether their references to earlier Assembly resolutions are intended to revive the pre-1953 arrangement or are limited to the demand for restoration of statehood. The organisation said the issue has already resulted in political disagreement in the Assembly, particularly over references to the 2000 autonomy resolution.
Gupta said the organisation respects democratic debate but maintained that the concept of two Prime Ministers in one country would not be accepted by the party. He emphasised that the unity, integrity and constitutional framework of India should remain central to discussions on Jammu and Kashmir.
During the protest, party workers including Rakesh, Daya Ram, Devak Verma, Prithvi Singh, Rajinder, Sanjeev Sharma, Pawan, Ashwani, Bantu, Prem and Abhishek, among others, were present.