‘Time to end Articles 26 to 29 of Constitution’: BJP leader Nishikant Dubey after Pahalgam terror attack

NEW DELHI: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has demanded the scrapping of Articles 26 to 29 of the Constitution in the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Dubey criticised “vote-bank politics” and accused secular leaders of hypocrisy, suggesting they should clarify whether the Pahalgam attack was driven by religious motives.

He expressed confidence in the current government’s ability to address Kashmir issues, mentioning Home Minister Amit Shah and hinting at a possible resolution regarding Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

“When the country was divided in the name of Hindus and Muslims, then those who made Hindus second-class citizens by giving more rights to Muslims in the name of minority just for vote bank should tell today on the incident of Pahalgam whether today’s murder was done on the basis of religion or not? Shame on secular leaders, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir will be ours, have patience, this is Modi’s government, whose Home Minister is Amit Shah ji. It is time to end Articles 26 to 29 of the Constitution,” Dubey posted on X.

देश का बँटवारा जब हिंदू व मुसलमान के नाम पर हो गया तो केवल वोट बैंक के लिए अल्पसंख्यक के नाम पर मुसलमानों को ज़्यादा अधिकार देकर हिंदुओं को दोयम दर्जे का नागरिक बनाने वालों को आज पहलगाम की घटना पर बताना चाहिए कि आज की हत्या धर्म के आधार पर की गई या नहीं? लानत है सेकुलर वादी…

— Dr Nishikant Dubey (@nishikant_dubey) April 22, 2025

Articles 26 to 29 of the Indian Constitution guarantee the right to freedom of religion and the cultural and educational rights of minorities.

Article 26 guarantees the freedom to manage religious affairs, including establishing institutions, managing affairs, and administering property.
Article 27 prohibits compelling anyone to pay taxes for the promotion of a specific religion.

Article 28 addresses freedom from religious instruction or worship in state-funded educational institutions.

Finally, Article 29 protects the cultural and educational rights of minorities, including the right to conserve their language, script, or culture, and prohibits discrimination in state-aided educational institutions.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam and paid condolences to those who have lost their loved ones.

In a post on X, PM Modi stated that those responsible for this heinous act will be brought to justice. “I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured person recovers as soon as possible. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected,” PM Modi said.

“Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice…they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakeable, and it will get even stronger,” he added.

On Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level security meeting with all the agencies following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Home Minister Shah reached Srinagar on Tuesday evening for the security review meeting. He said earlier that those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared.

The Home Minister also briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the incident.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also briefed the Union Home Minister over the Pahalgam terrorist attack. LG Manoj Sinha and other high-level officials were also present at the meeting.

Meanwhile, the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police have launched a search operation in the general area of Baisran, Pahalgam, Anantnag, to nab the perpetrators of the attack.

Candle marches were organised at several places in Jammu and Kashmir by local people against the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam.

“On 22 April 2025, in a cowardly and heart-wrenching act of violence. The terrorists opened fire on innocent tourists and locals. In the immediate aftermath, Joint Forces will oversee the situation. Medical teams were swiftly mobilised and casualty evacuation commenced,” Chinar Corps said in a post on X.

“In response to this senseless violence and the anguish caused to local sentiments, a candle march was organised in Sopore, Ganderbal, Handwara, Bandipora and other parts of Kashmir by the local populace. A Joint Search Operation has been launched by the #IndianArmy and @JmuKmrPolice in the general area of Baisran, Pahalgam, Anantnag. The search operation is currently in progress, with all efforts focused on bringing the attackers to justice,” it added.

Delhi Police has also been instructed to keep a close watch on tourist places and other important places. (ANI)