The Special Session of Parliament: Could it be About J&K?

The Modi government has called for a special session of Parliament for five days starting September 18. However, no official announcement has been made regarding the agenda of the session, which will be held days after the G20 Summit. 

As is the pattern with the Modi government, there is yet again a lack of transparency in public affairs. In the absence of the agenda, all kinds of speculations have followed the announcement of the session. 

The BJP-RSS-led NDA (National Democratic Alliance) is worried about the General Elections 2024. The new formation of the Opposition, now known as INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance), is seen as a real threat to the Modi regime. In such a scenario, the government is trying to reverse public anger. It attempted this by reducing the prices of LP and other items of daily use. 

However, the biggest blow to democracy and constitutional morality was dealt with by this government to the people of Jammu and Kashmir by tampering with Article 370 and disintegrating the state into three UTs. First, the Assembly was dissolved, then President rule was imposed, and then, without the ‘concurrence’ of the people of J&K, all wrongs were done to them. 

With its majoritarian mindset, the Centre behaved like a colonial ruler. The democratic set-up was brutally demolished. The region is under central rule through an unelected Governor.

The Special Session is forced on the regime’s mind by the debate at the Supreme Court Bench on the petitions filed against the decisions related to Article 370 and changing the status of Jammu and Kashmir from State to UT. The Attorney General is trying his best to defend and justify the wrongs done to the people of J&K, but the Bench does not seem convinced. The AG, on behalf of the Centre, had to assure the Bench that elections in J&K would be held soon. An assurance on the revival of statehood has also been given to the Bench. But the elections of what? 

The Modi Government will have to revive the statehood first in J&K. Only then can elections be held there. The Modi regime feels it may win over the people there by this act before it is too late. The opposition alliance may take the initiative first and assure the people of J&K to undo the wrongs done to the people over there by the BJP-RSS regime at the Centre. This fear has gripped the rulers at the Centre. This fear has forced the Modi regime to call for a Special Session of the Parliament.

The Modi government, at this special session, may enact a law to give J&K the status of a state while keeping Ladakh a Union Territory. This will satisfy the Supreme Court, which will likely provide a verdict in favour of the Central government after this. The Supreme Court will refuse to revive the original Article 370 and undo the amendments done by the Modi government. But the Bench seems inclined to restore the democratic set-up over there and see that the Centre adheres to the assurances given to the SC. 

The Election Commission has already been sounded and may be ready to hold elections to the newly carved out constituencies of the new state of Jammu & Kashmir. 

Chanchal Chauhan taught English literature at the College of Delhi University. He is a retired associate professor now. He occasionally writes on his website, www.chanchalchauhan.in. The views expressed are personal.