J&K and Ladakh to be Separate Union Territories
Staff Reporter
Union Government today announced repealing of Article 370 which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir. A resolution in this regard was moved in the Rajya Sabha by Home Minister Amit Shah, amidst Opposition uproar in the Upper House.
Justifying the move to repeal of Article 370, Home Minister Amit Shah said the people of Jammu and Kashmir are not getting any benefits due to it and the politicians are allowing corruption to flourish. He asserted Article 370 never helped Jammu and Kashmir join India and said, Jammu and Kashmir was already a part of India much before Article 370. Mr Shah said, Article 370 was accepted with the idea that it will eventually be removed but no political party had the will to do it.
Opposing the move, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad condemned the act, saying Congress will protect the Constitution at any cost. He accused the BJP of disrespecting the Constitution.
Bahujan Samaj Party leader Satish Chandra Mishra said his party is supporting the government’s bill and the move to remove Article 370. Prasanna Acharya of BJD also supported the government’s move.
Speaking on the bill, Bhupendera Yadav of BJP attacked Congress over the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. He accused the Congress of not doing anything for the development of the state.
AIADMK leader Navaneethakrishnan welcomed the resolution and the Bills. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut also echoed the same view and supported the government move.
On the other hand, protesting against the government decision, NDA ally JD(U) staged a walk out from the Upper House. Meanwhile, members from Congress, DMK and others also protested in the Lok Sabha over the government’s decision on Jammu and Kashmir.