Saleem Pandit    

The entire Kashmir Valley shut down on second consecutive day on Monday in support of the Constitution’s Article 35A, the validity of which has been challenged in the Supreme Court.

Though mainstream political parties like National Conference and PDP have been historically opposed to any tinkering with the laws pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir, the two-day shutdown call was given by separatists. The separatist leadership called the unanimity over shutdown “unprecedented” and “exemplary”.

Former chief minister Omar Abdullah tweeted that those out to defend Article 35A were showing “a tacit acceptance that J&K’s future lies within the Constitution of India... Otherwise how would it matter if it were struck down or diluted”.

The shutdown across the Valley was total. The ongoing Amarnath Yatra remained partially suspended. The Srinagar-Banihal train services and the weekly Karwan-e-Aman bus service operating between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad of POK were also suspended.

Saleem.pandit@timesgroup.com

Courtesy: Times of India: 07 Aug 2018