NEW DELHI: Former union minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani on Thursday criticised the Congress-led INDI Alliance ’s recent move demanding the restoration of Article 370 and special status for Jammu and Kashmir, terming it "an affront to the Indian Constitution and the Supreme Court’s stance." At a press conference, Irani said, “Today, I stand as an Indian outraged at the attempt by the Congress-led INDI Alliance to bring to the floor of the House a resolution that is against the Indian Constitution.” Irani in a sharp accusation claimed Congress was aligning with “terrorism” instead of supporting the region's stability and said, “Congress leadership, particularly the Gandhi family, needs to answer—do they stand for terrorism and against the development of J&K?” She further said that the BJP would “respond in unity” with the people of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure continued stability and development.
This criticism came amid continued disruptions in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly , as Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) MLA Khurshid Ahmad Sheikh, the brother of Engineer Rashid, displayed a banner advocating for Article 370 in the House. She also questioned, “Does it stand against the rights of Dalits, tribals, children, and women?" Irani said that the social and economic progress Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed since the 2019 abrogation of Article 370, attributing a marked reduction in violence and a surge in tourism to these changes. “Incidents of violence have.