“Nothing revolutionary has been done,” said former Attorney-General of India Soli Sorabjee, while talking about the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party government’s move to revoke Article 370 on August 5.
Speaking to ANI, Sorabjee said, “Article 35A wasn’t part of the Constitution. It was inserted by Presidential order. The effect of all this is that the laws of India, which were not applicable to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, will now apply. But for that, you require Parliamentary approval. The Bill will have to be moved in Parliament, and as far as I can see, it will be passed because BJP has a majority there.”
He added, “It’s a political decision; it’s not a wise decision.”
When asked if this was a historic step by the Centre, Sorabjee responded with, “Historic step bhi blunder hota hain” — A historic step can also be a blunder.
Sorajbee also brought up the subject of house arrest of political leaders like Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and Sajjad Ghani Lone and said, “You didn’t ask me about the arrests, but to my mind, I don’t like this at all. I think it is very unnecessary and very unpleasant. It sends a wrong signal to people of Kashmir. I don’t approve of it.”
He also expressed his intense disapproval of the communications blackout in the state.