In the wake of the Supreme Court upholding the abrogation of Article 370 by the Narendra Modi government, DMK MP MM Abdulla’s statements in the Rajya Sabha stirred a storm of controversy, with borderline calls for Kashmir’s secession based on racial lines.
During a discussion on the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, 2023, Abdulla quoted EV Ramasamy Naicker, known as ‘Periyar’. He said, “Sir, the father of Dravidian movement, Thanthai Periyar, said, “Each race has the right to self-determination and this applies to Kashmiris also.” Moving beyond this bill, I propose the following steps to address the situation in Kashmir, sir. Establish an independent committee to investigate human rights violations in Kashmir. Repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act that grant immunity to security forces”
The remarks prompted a sharp response from Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, who disapproved of the comments, stating that the freedom of speech in the House “is not unqualified” in reference to the Supreme Court’s recent judgment on the matter. Dhankhar went on to expunge Abdulla’s remarks, emphasizing that such statements challenging the Constitution and Supreme Court judgments would not be acceptable.
The Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankhar, questioned Abdulla’s observations, stating, “Can the House subscribe to this? Can we believe in the Constitution or such kinds of observations? These will be deleted. Your observations are expunged. Hon’ble member, you are abusing the platform. You are not aware of what you are saying. You’ve gone too far. I expunge your observations. You indicate of racial determination? How can it be there? You are in the wrong. Take your seat. You have forfeited your right to hold the floor.”
However, Abdulla repeated the same quote, emphasising Kashmir’s right to “self-determination.” The controversy did not end with MM Abdulla, as another DMK MP, Tiruchi Siva, made problematic statements, asserting that if the I.N.D.I. Alliance comes to power, it would restore Article 370, the provision abrogated by the Modi government in 2019.
