Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir: Home Minister Amit Shah moves resolution in Lok Sabha.
The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, which splits the state into two Union Territories, sailed through the Lok Sabha today, with some of the opposition parties walking out. 370 Lok Sabha members voted in favour of the bill and 70 voted against it. The government had on Monday announced that special status to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the constitution has been removed by an order from President Ram Nath Kovind.
Home Minister Amit Shah said in the Lok Sabha today that the decision to do so "was not a political move".
Congress's Manish Tewari today opposed the centre's Kashmir move saying: "For the first time we are witnessing a state being turned into a Union Territory."
The state of Jammu and Kashmir is under a lockdown and former chief ministers - Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti - were arrested on Monday soon after the two resolutions cleared Rajya Sabha.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba are in Jammu and Kashmir today to oversee the security measures.
Here are the Highlights over the situation in Jammu and Kashmir:
Article 370: Amit Shah "has been continuously working towards ensuring a better life for the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh," tweets PM Modi
"Our Home Minister @AmitShah Ji has been continuously working towards ensuring a better life for the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. His commitment and diligence is clearly visible in the passage of these Bills. I would like to specially congratulate Amit Bhai," tweeted PM Modi.
Jammu and Kashmir: "Political parties rose to the occasion," tweets PM Modi
"In Parliament, political parties rose to the occasion, overcame ideological differences and took part in a rich debate that increased the pride of our Parliamentary democracy. For that, I congratulate all MPs, various political parties and their leaders," tweeted PM Modi.
"Fitting tribute to the great Sardar Patel," tweets PM Modi
"The passage of key Bills pertaining to Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are a fitting tribute to the great Sardar Patel, who worked for India's unity, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, whose views are well known and Dr. SP Mookerjee who devoted his life for India's unity and integrity," PM Modi tweeted.
Jammu and Kashmir: PM Narendra Modi tweets his "special congratulations to the people of Ladakh"
"Special congratulations to the people of Ladakh! It is a matter of great joy that their long-standing demand of being declared a Union Territory has been fulfilled. This decision will give impetus to the overall prosperity of the region and ensure better developmental facilities," tweeted PM Narendra Modi.
Article 370: PM Narendra Modi says bils pertaining to Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh "will ensure integration and empowerment"
In another tweet, PM Narendra Modi said, "The Bills pertaining to Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh will ensure integration and empowerment. These steps will bring the youth into the mainstream and give them innumerable opportunities to showcase their skills and talents. Local infrastructure will significantly improve."
Article 370: PM Narendra Modi tweets on passage of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill
In a series of tweets, PM Narendra Modi congratulated the "momentous occasion" of passing the bill to split Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories.
READ HERE: Jammu And Kashmir To Become 2 Union Territories, Parliament On BoardThe bill to split Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories sailed through Lok Sabha on Tuesday, with some opposition parties walking out, bringing down the majority mark, and others siding with the government. Amid a political storm that started on Monday morning since Union Home Minister Amit Shah's announcement in parliament, the resolution was passed through a division of votes - 366 members voted in its favour and 66 voted against it.
J&K Reservation Bill also clears Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha voted again after a snag the first time the house voted. The J&K reorganisation Bill was passed with 366 votes.
Bill to reorganise Jammu and Kashmir, divide it two Union Territories clears parliament
Lok Sabha is now voting on J&K Reorganisation Bill.
Jyotiraditya Scindia Supports Government's Kashmir Move
Curfew In J&K Precautionary: Amit Shah In Lok Sabha On centre's Kashmir move, Amit Shah said today: "The bill covers every inch of Jammu and Kashmir."
He also replied to the opposition's charges on lockdown in the state. "The curfew wasn't put in place because the law and order situation has deteriorated. It is precautionary, it has been put in place so the situation doesn't deteriorate," he said.
Amit Shah's Reply To Asaduddin Owaisi On Article 370Replying to AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, Amit Shah told Lok Sabha: "Asaduddin Owaisi said we are going to commit a historic mistake. We are not committing a historic mistake but are correcting a historic wrong."
Earlier today, Mr Owaisi had said, "I stand to oppose the bill. Definitely BJP has lived up to electoral promise in their manifesto, but you have not lived up to your constitutional duties. You've indulged in breach of a constitutional promise."
Article 370, Article 371 Can't Be Compared: Amit Shah In Lok Sabha - Watch
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Requests Speaker To Extend Time
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi requested the speaker to extend time of Lok Sabha. "I request you to extend the time of the house till this Bill is completed. Also, as per schedule, you are supposed to finalise tomorrow, but since 99% of the business is over, I request you to finalise today," he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
India will continue to claim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, says Amit Shah in Lok Sabha
History Will Decide If Removal Of Article 370 Is Right Or Not: Amit Shah
"Who took Kashmir to the United Nations.... it was Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. History will decide if this decision (to revoke 370) is right or not, but whenever it will be discussed, PM Narendra Modi will be remembered by the people": Amit Shah in Lok Sabha
UAE Supports India On Kashmir MoveDr Ahmad Al Banna, the UAE ambassador to India, has supported India on Kashmir move. "The reorganisation of states is not a unique incident in history of independent India & that it was mainly aimed at reducing regional disparity and improving efficiency. It is an internal matter as stipulated by the Indian Constitution," he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
BJP Leaders Give Standing Ovation As PM Arrives In Lok Sabha
"Today the people from the opposition who are talking about Article 370, did they speak when Human Rights were being violated in Pak occupied Kashmir? Even today Human Rights are violated in PoK. These are bigger questions": Ravi Shankar Prasad In Lok Sabha
On Kashmir Move, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad Attacks Opposition
Attacking the opposition over centre's move to remove Article 370, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said: "Army officer Umar Faiyaz was shot dead when he had to gone to attend his brother's wedding. No politician stood up for him. We gave him Shaurya Chakra. Those standing up for Article 370, did they stand for him?"
NSA Ajit Doval Meets Governor Satya Pal Malik In Srinagar Amid Security Concerns
On J&K's Special Status, Akhilesh Yadav's Question To CentreSamajwadi Party chief blasted the government over revoking special status to India's northern-most state today. "I was told this (removing Article 370) will bring development to Kashmir. I am happy for that. But I want to know if Uttar Pradesh has been cheated despite the Prime Minister, President, Governor, you (Speaker) being from there, how can one say Kashmir will progress?" Akhilesh Yadav said in his speech in the Lok Sabha. Read
here.
Centre Promoting Division In Name Of Unity: Shashi Tharoor In Parliament"In the name of unity, centre is promoting division," Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said today, reacting to centre's move to revoke Article 370.
Watch: National Conference Leader Farooq Abdullah Speaks To NDTV
"Kashmir's Leaders Jailed At Secret Locations," Tweets Rahul Gandhi
"Feel Sad Home Minister Can Lie Like This": Farooq Abdullah To NDTV Amid controversy over his absence in parliament, National Conference patriarch Farooq Abdullah spoke to NDTV today and said, "I was detained in my house. I feel sad that Home Minister of the country can lie like this."
Earlier today, in the parliament, replying to a question, Amit Shah had said, "Farooq Abdullah is not detained". Read
here.
Farooq Abdullah Has Not Been Detained: Amit Shah
Amid questions, Amit Shah told the parliament today that Farooq Abdullah "has not been detained".
Can't Support Centre's Move: Mamata BanerjeeWest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said the centre took the decision on Article 370 without talking to other parties. "We cannot support this bill. We cannot vote for this bill. They should have spoken to all political parties and the Kashmiris. If you need to arrive at a permanent solution, then you have to talk to all stakeholders," she told reporters.
She also made a scathing attack at the centre over the arrest of Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah. "I have no information about Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti. I appeal to the government that they should not feel isolated. They are not terrorists. They should be released in the interest of the democratic institutions," she said.
We Didn't Wake Up President To Make Him Sign Emergency Papers: Union Minister Jitender Singh Union Minister Jitender Singh launched a scathing attack at rival Congress and said: "Yes, we have scrapped Article 370. At least, we did not wake up the president to make him sign the Emergency papers." He was referring to the state of emergency declared in the nation in 1975 by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
"Syama Prasad Mookerjee died fighting against Article 370," he said.
Another Congress Leader Supports Centre On Article 370 Removal Contradicting the party's stand, several Congress leaders have supported the centre's move to remove Article 370 of the Constitution, which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
Today, Congress MLA from Raebareli Sadar also welcomed the move. "It will help in integrating J&K into the mainstream. It's a historic decision. It should not be politicised. As an MLA, in my capacity, I welcome this decision," she told news agency ANI.
On Monday, Congress's chief whip Bhubaneswar Kalita quit the party and the Rajya Sabha calling the Congress stand on Kashmir "suicide" and "against the mood and emotions of the nation". Milind Deora and Deepender Hooda have also welcomed centre's Kashmir move.
Not Concerned About Those Who Don't Know J&K's History: Ghulam Nabi Azad On Party Colleagues Supporting Centre's MoveCongress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad today slammed the party colleagues who have opposed the Congress's stand on Article 370 and spoken in support of centre's move to remove the contentious article.
"I am not concerned about those who know nothing about the history of Congress and the history of Jammu and Kashmir," he told news agency ANI.
On Monday, after centre's stunning announcement to remove Article 370, several Congress leaders, including Milind Deora and Deepender Hooda, welcomed the centre's move. Congress's chief whip Bhubaneswar Kalita quit the party and the Rajya Sabha calling the Congress stand on Kashmir "suicide" and "against the mood and emotions of the nation".
"Grave Implications For National Security": Rahul Gandhi Tweets On Article 370 Removal
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi this afternoon tweeted on centre's move to remove Article 370, which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir. "National integration isn't furthered by unilaterally tearing apart J&K, imprisoning elected representatives and violating our Constitution. This nation is made by its people, not plots of land. This abuse of executive power has grave implications for our national security," he tweeted.
For The First Time, State Being Turned To A Union Territory, Says Congress's Manish Tewari: Watch
No Legal Dispute On Kashmir: Watch What Amit Shah Told Lok Sabha Today
What Precedent Are You Setting? Manish Tewari Attacks Centre On Kashmir MoveIn rebuttal to Home Minister Amit Shah's statement on Article 370, Congress leader Manish Tewari today said: "Indian constitution does not have only Article370. It also has Article 371 A to I. They provide special rights to Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Andhra, Sikkim etc. Today when you're scrapping Article 370,what message are you sending to these states?"
"That you can revoke Article 371 tomorrow? By imposing President's rule in the north eastern states, and using the rights of their Assemblies in the parliament, you can scrap Article 371 too? What kind of constitutional precedent are you setting in the country?," Mr Tewari was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
"Article 370(3) allows the President of India to issue a gazette notification and revoke the special status given under Article 370... that is what has been used to revoke the temporary special status given to J&K": Amit Shah in Lok Sabha
Not A Political Move: Amit Shah Hits Back At CongressHitting back at Congress's Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Home Minister Amit Shah said: "This is not a political move. Parliament has full powers to make laws for the entire country. The constitution of India and the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir both allow for this to be done."
"I want to make it absolutely clear that every single time we say Jammu and Kashmir, it includes Pak-occupied Kashmir. Let there be no doubt over it. Entire Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the Union of India," he said.
Home Minister Amit Shah has moved two resolutions in Lok Sabha
Resolution 1 - To Revoke Article 370 and special provisions under it
Resolution 2 - To bifurcate the state of J&K into two union territories- J&K and Ladakh
Congress Questions Amit Shah Over Article 370 Resolution"The entire Congress party wants to get enlightened. This is a very important issue and we have some fundamental questions," Adhir Ranjan Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asked Amit Shah in Lok Sabha today
"We are not making any allegation. We just want to know the procedure and laws used. Also, we want to know why you have locked down Kashmir Valley... why have you made it a kaidkhana (a prison)?" he asked
J&K Intergral Part Of India: Amit Shah In Lok Sabha"I want to make it very clear and put it on record once again that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral and inseparable part of India. There is absolutely no doubt over it, and there is no legal dispute on this.": Amit Shah In Lok Sabha
Home Minister Amit Shah moves the resolution to revoke Article370 in Jammu and Kashmir in Lok Sabha.
Home Minister Amit Shah Addresses Parliament
Congress to have Shashi Tharoor and Manish Tewari as speakers on J&K Reorganisation Bill, in Lok Sabha, news agency ANI reports
Mayawati "Welcomes" Centre's Move To Remove Article 370, Bifurcate J&K BSP chief Mayawati today said she supports Centre's move to remove Article 370. "The demand to remove Article 370 and Article 35 A was pending since a long time. The BSP hopes that the centre's decision will benefit the people of the state," she tweeted in Hindi.
In another tweet, she wrote: "Similarly, the Buddhist communist in Leh and Ladakh have been demanding a separate union territory for a long time. The BSP welcomes the centre's move to bifurcate Jammu and Kashmir. The entire country, especially Dr Bhim Rao Ambdekar's Buddhist followers are happy with this move."
"Must Change Your Direction": Varun Gandhi On Removal Of Article 370
BJP leader Varun Gandhi today congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a day after Home Minister Amit Shah announced removal of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. "With a loss of nearly 1 lakh human lives and Rs 10 lakh crores of public money since 1947, clearly Articles 370 and 35A were not working. A wise man once said, 'if you want to change your condition, you must change your direction'. (sic)," he tweeted.
Kashmir Valley Has Over 3 Months' Food Supply, Says Official A top official has indicated that the lockdown in J&K may be for the long haul, amid fear of a backlash over the Article 370 announcement. Kashmir Valley has more than 3 months' food supply, Principal Secretary, Planning Commission in Srinagar, Rohit Kansal said on Tuesday, Principal Secretary, Planning Commission in Srinagar, Rohit Kansal said on Tuesday. Read
here According to a government spokesperson, people who want to travel to the Kashmir Valley can use their air tickets as a pass to be shown to security forces.
Foreign Ministry Briefed UN's Permanent Members On Kashmir Move: Sources
The Ministry of External Affairs has briefed the UN Security Council's five permanent members and the foreign media on the government's momentous move on Jammu and Kashmir - ending the state's special status and bifurcating it into two union territories.
The permanent members of the UN Security Council are United States, United Kingdom, Russia, France, and China.
Government sources said the ministry explained that the changes made today were to a "temporary" article. "70 years is a long time for something temporary. It lessened accountability, quality of governance and added to separatist sentiment," the sources quoted the ministry as saying.
The government had used a provision in the constitution's Article 370 - which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir - to bring the special status to an end. The Section 3 of Article 370 empowers the President to declare the special status inoperative anytime.
The Section 3 states: "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."
The ministry also said that vested interests did not want application of Indian laws in Kashmir. This had impact on investment, and led to gender discrimination. Fundamental duties were also not applicable in the state, the sources said.
The point was also made by Union home minister in Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha today while responding to the debate on the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill. The minister said the Article 370 was an impediment to development in Jammu and Kashmir.
"I want to tell the youth in the valley, with Article 370, there will be no development. If you want poverty, lack of development, lack of sanitation, continue with Article 370," the minister said.
"Article 370 ensures there is no PPP model, no private investment in the state. 370 ensures the healthcare in Jammu and Kashmir suffers, no doctor wants to go there. 370 ensures there is no right to education for the children of Kashmir. Dalits, OBCs in the state don't get any reservation because of 370," he added.
The Centre had sent $40 billion but there was no commensurate development, the ministry had said. The quality of governance, state of administration led to a non-optimal use of resources, the sources quoted the ministry as saying. As examples the ministry had cited the JK bank fraud, and delay in power and road projects, the sources said.
Article 370 Didn't Allow Democracy In J&K: Amit Shah's Speech In Rajya SabhaArticle 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, had to go as it was the root of terrorism in the state and was the biggest hurdle to normalcy, Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday, replying to a debate on the government's move to reorganize the state and bifurcate it into two union territories.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba are in Jammu and Kashmir today to oversee the security measures.
Former chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah have been placed under house arrest and restrictions have been put in place in J&K to ensure peace is maintained across the Valley. After the vote in Rajya Sabha last evening, Mr Abdullah and Ms Mufti were arrested and shifted to the government guest house.
President Ram Nath Kovind has already followed procedure and issued a gazette notification and gave his approval for the revocation of Article 370 - which is a "temporary and transient" provision in the Constitution of India giving special privileges to Jammu and Kashmir.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh informed members of the Lok Sabha yesterday that Home Minister Amit Shah will make a statement in Lok Sabha today, following which there will be a discussion in the House before the vote takes place. He assured that the Home Minister will answer all questions before the resolutions are put to vote.
Article 370 J&K: Lok Sabha To Debate, Vote On Article 370, Bifurcation Of Jammu And Kashmir
The resolution to revoke Article 370 as well as bifurcation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir to two Union Territories - J&K and Ladakh - have already been tabled in the House. The resolutions are likely to pass easily in the Lok Sabha, where the government has a clear majority.
Article 370 J&K: Resolution To Revoke Article 370 To Be Discussed In Lok Sabha Today
A day after it got over two-thirds majority in the Rajya Sabha, the resolution to revoke Article 370 - which gives special status and powers to the state of Jammu and Kashmir - will be debated and voted in the Lok Sabha.