Industrialist Anand Mahindra today weighed in on the government's move to remove Article 370, which confers special status, from Jammu and Kashmir. The announcement came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting of his cabinet at his house this morning.
"Cannot pretend this is just another Monday morning. The entire country is waiting to exhale over Kashmir. Can only pray for the safety of everyone there & for an outcome that makes the nation stronger & the future more positive," the chairman of the Mahindra Group tweeted this morning.
Jammu and Kashmir will also be "reorganised," said Home Minister Amit Shah, with the state being bifurcated into two Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir on the one hand and Ladakh on the other.
A massive troop deployment in Jammu and Kashmir and the house arrest of state politicians have sent tension rising in the state.
Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah and People's Conference's Sajad Lone - the three most prominent politicians from Jammu and Kashmir - were placed under house arrest late on Sunday.
Actor Anupam Kher, an ardent supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, tweeted saying "Kashmir Solution has begun."
Former Union Minister P Chidambaram today criticised the government over the house arrest of the politicians. "I had warned of a misadventure in J&K. It seems the government is determined to embark upon one. The house arrest of J&K leaders is a signal that the government will defy all democratic norms and principles to achieve its objects. I condemn the house arrests," Mr Chidambaram tweeted.
Tension in Jammu and Kashmir spiked on Friday with the state administration scrapping the Amarnath Yatra and asking pilgrims and tourists to leave the valley at the earliest. The order made anxious residents throng markets to stock on essentials and serpentine queues have been visible outside shops and fuel stations.
The centre has rushed some 35,000 paramilitary forces to the state.
"Very Proud, But...": Family Mourns Captain Thapa, Killed In J&K Encounter Anand Mahindra Shares Picture Of US Senator's Indian Wedding, Calls It... "Demand Of Every Patriotic Indian Is...": Rahul Gandhi On Doda Terror Attack 25,000 Aspirants For Airport Jobs Paying Rs 22,000: A Mumbai Stampede Scare 4 Top Leaders Quit Ajit Pawar's Party In Major Setback After Poll Drubbing Karnataka's 100% Quota Bill For Kannadigas In Private Firms For These Posts UGC-NET June 2024: City Slips For Exams From July 25-27 Released MCom, BBA, BCom: The Many Aspirants For Handyman's Job At Mumbai Airport Why Donald Trump Picked JD Vance As His Vice President Candidate Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.