New Delhi: Although Article 370 has been scrapped from Valley which gave Jammu and Kashmir special status, the Union Minister on Sunday assured the people of Assam that the ruling party will not alter Article 371 of the Indian constitution.
This was Mr Shah’s first visit to the state since the release of the NRC final citizen’s list.
“Article 371 of the Indian Constitution is a special provision. The BJP government respects Article 371 and will not alter it in any way,” said the Home Minister.
Despite revoking special status in Jammu and Kashmir- a Muslim minority dominated state, the saffron party has no interest in altering Article 371 which provides special provisions for other States, mostly from the Northeast.
Most of the States that have been accorded special provisions under Article 371 is in the northeast and the special status aims to preserve their tribal culture.
Article 371B deals with the special provision with respect to the state of Assam.
The final NRC list has left many political leaders upset with the results since a wide number of alleged majority people have been left out.
The final list has was aimed at ending a four-decade long movement against the presence of illegal immigrants especially Minority Muslims in the region.
The BJP ruling party in Assam, opposed the NRC, saying genuine Indians had been left out while illegal immigrants had made it to the list because of “anomalies”.
Last month, RN Ravi, who took charge as Nagaland’s new governor, assured the people of the state not to worry about removal of Article 371 (A) following developments related to Jammu and Kashmir after the Centre scrapped Article 370.