BJP asks Congress to clarify stand on Saifuddin Soz’s “internal autonomy” remarks
The BJP has demanded that the Congress party clarify its stance on veteran leader Saifuddin Soz’s recent comments advocating for 'internal autonomy' and sovereignty for Jammu & Kashmir. The BJP claims these remarks promote national division.
Why it matters
The controversy highlights ongoing political tensions regarding the status of Jammu & Kashmir and the use of nationalist rhetoric in Indian electoral politics.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday (July 15, 2027) asked the Congress leadership to clarify whether the party endorsed the remarks by its veteran leader Saifuddin Soz advocating not only the restoration of Jammu & Kashmir’s Statehood and Article 370, but also “internal autonomy”.
In a statement to the media, Mr. Soz said: “...our real issue is internal autonomy, and the people of Jammu & Kashmir must fight for the restoration of Article 370...as a Muslim-majority State we decided to join India, a Hindu-majority country, and we took the right decision to remain with India, but it must be on our own terms. Internal autonomy must be restored.”
The remarks drew a sharp reaction from BJP MP and spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi, who called for a clarification from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and Leader of the Opposition (Lok Sabha) Rahul Gandhi.
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