Jammu and Kashmir sans Ladakh will now be a Union Territory with a legislature. Ladakh will also be a UT without a legislature.
NEW DELHI: Article 370, which extends special status to Jammu and Kashmir, has been scrapped, home minister Amit Shah announced in parliament.
Jammu and Kashmir will also be “reorganised,” Shah told the Rajya Sabha. Shah said the UT in Ladakh will have no legislature like Chandigarh while the other UT of Jammu and Kashmir will have a legislature like Delhi and Puducherry.
“The Article-370, notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this article, the President may, by public notification, declare that this article shall cease to be operative or shall be operative only with such exceptions and modifications and from such date as he may specify: Provided that the recommendation of the Constituent Assembly of the State referred to in clause (2) shall be necessary before the President issues such a notification,” read out Shah in the ruckus in the Upper House of Parliament.
Ghulam Nabi Azad countering Shah’s Rajya Sabha address said, “Entire valley is under curfew, political leaders including three former chief ministers are under house arrest. There is a war-like situation in the state, so this should be discussed on priority”
The groundbreaking announcement came soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a cabinet meeting at his residence this morning.
Darkest day in Indian democracy: Mehbooba
Among the first to slam the historic decision was former J-K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti. The PDP leader who is reportedly under house arrest said, “Today marks the darkest day in Indian democracy. Decision of J&K leadership to reject 2 nation theory in 1947 & align with India has backfired. Unilateral decision of GOI to scrap Article 370 is illegal & unconstitutional which will make India an occupational force in J&K.”
Today marks the darkest day in Indian democracy. Decision of J&K leadership to reject 2 nation theory in 1947 & align with India has backfired. Unilateral decision of GOI to scrap Article 370 is illegal & unconstitutional which will make India an occupational force in J&K.
It will have catastrophic consequences for the subcontinent. GOIs intentions are clear. They want the territory of J&K by terrorising it’s people. India has failed Kashmir in keeping its promises
What are Article 370 and 35A?
Cabinet meetings generally take place on Wednesdays, though there are instances when it has been called on other days to consider important issues.
Shah is reportedly have briefed the Cabinet about the J&K situation and measures taken to address challenges posed by alleged Pakistan sponsored terrorism.
After addressing the Rajya Sabha, Shah is expected to address Lok Sabha at 12 PM.
Before the Cabinet meet, the PM reportedly chaired a meeting of the Cabinet committee on security.
According to media reports, Amit Shah also had a one-on-one meeting with the Prime Minister.
Union Minister for Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad met the Home Minister Amit Shah ahead of the Cabinet meeting, with the government likely to table legislative proposal to give effect to decision concerning the state.
The cabinet meeting was scheduled with just three days of the Budget session of Parliament remaining. BJP leaders, however, argued that the security build up is to “scorch remnants of terrorism in the Valley ahead of the Assembly polls.”
Meanwhile, the state has become a fortress with deployment of over 38,000 additional security forces. Senior political leaders from the Valley have been put under house arrest. The internet and telephonic services have also been disconnected in the valley.
