Home Minister Amit Shah introduced a bill today that which has green-lit the repeal of Article 370 of Indian Constitution in Jammu and Kashmir.
Article 370 gave Jammu and Kashmir autonomy. It enjoyed a special status which granted the people of J&K to live under a law that was different from that of other Indian states. Repealing Article 270 has nullified these special privileges.
Along with that Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization bill was also introduced in the parliament which proposes to divide the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
The latter bill would give India the power to make J&K and Ladakh as Union Territories. J&K will have a legislature like India and Ladakh will be a Union Territory. This move has really upset the leaders of Jammu and Kashmir.
Former J&K Chief Ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah have mentioned that they have been house-arrested and are using Twitter to voice out their emotions. Media reports say that Omar Abdullah had said ” A long and tough battle lies ahead; We are ready for that.”
Mehbooba said “Already under house arrest & not allowed to have visitors either. Not sure how long I’ll be able to communicate. GOIs intention is clear & sinister. They want to change demography of the only muslim majority state in India , disempower Muslims to the extent where they become second class citizens in their own state. By spinning stories about a possible attack on Amarnath Yatra, GOI pulled wool over the eyes of Kashmiris… Flagrant violation in the most cowardly manner possible…Shameful ”
Omar Abdullah said ” I believe I’m being placed under house arrest from midnight tonight & the process has already started for other mainstream leaders. No way of knowing if this is true but if it is then I’ll see all of you on the other side of whatever is in store. Good luck to everyone, stay safe & above all PLEASE STAY CALM.”
While ruling Indian Government has stood in favor of repeal. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said “It is something the country has been waiting for the last 70 years. Even our manifesto mentioned the need to abrogate #Article370, so it is not something we brought out suddenly like a rabbit from a magic hat.”
With the repeal of article 370, people of Kashmir will have be subjected to follow the laws that were alien to them.