72 years after Independence, Modi-govt ends special status of Jammu and Kashmir, set to bifurcate valley

Union Home Minister Amit Shah told Parliament that the government would scrap Article 370, the constitutional provision that allowed Jammu and Kashmir to make its own laws while massive troops deployment continued in the region where the local political leaders were put under house arrest since midnight.

Article 370 allows Jammu and Kashmir to have its own constitution, flag and right to handle its own laws except on matters that impact national security.

Also the BJP government on Monday announced to bifurcate Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories- Jammu and Kashmir with an assembly and Ladakh without an assembly. Thus Jammu and Kashmir loses its statehood.

The Modi government also scrapped Article 35A, which so far allowed the Jammu and Kashmir state's legislature to define “permanent residents” of the state and also provided special rights and privileges to those permanent residents, through the presidential order.

The Home Minister said the decisions have been taken in view of fulfilling the aspirations of people of Ladakh and the internal security in Jammu and Kashmir.

While Kashmir leaders like Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti called the moves unilateral, unconstitutional and termed the day as darkest in Indian democracy, a larger number of otherwise anti-BJP political parties of India from Opposition- BJD, BSP, YSR and TRS- welcomed the move of scrapping Article 370.

The Kashmiri pandits, who were driven out of their homeland in Kashmir decades ago and had been living in refugees in their own country, celebrated the move.

In his statement, Shah said, "There has been a long pending demand of people of Ladakh, to give it a status of a Union Territory to enable them to realise their aspirations. The Union Territory of Ladakh will be without Legislature. Further, keeping in view the prevailing internal security situation, fuelled by cross border terrorism in the existing State of Jammu and Kashmir, a separate Union Territory for Jammu and Kashmir is being created. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be with legislature."

Both the bills have received the ascent of President Ram Nath Kovind.

Also the BJP government is set to move the Jammu and Kashmir reservation bill in Parliament, Shah said amid noisy scenes in the upper house.

The home minister made the announcement after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a cabinet meeting at his residence this morning on the Kashmir situation.

Tension prevailed in Jammu and Kashmir as the central government imposed  Section 144 of the CRPC in Srinagar with effect from August 5 and even with several top leaders in the Valley, including former Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, being put under house arrest since midnight.

Earlier the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims were asked to return back from the state warning them of possible terror strikes by Pakistan-backed terror outfits.

Reactions

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief, Mehbooba Mufti, a former BJP ally, tweeted, "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 its people. India has failed Kashmir in keeping its promises."

She added, "People like us who placed faith in Parliament, the temple of democracy have been deceived. Those elements in J&K who rejected the constitution & sought resolution under the UN have been vindicated. This will exacerbate the alienation Kashmiris feel."

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah called it unilateral and shocking.

Congress Rajya Sabha leader Ghulam Nabi Azad told media, "The BJP government did this to gain votes. Jammu and Kashmir is culturally and politically completely different. Only Article 370A kept Jammu and Kashmir together....We didn't imagine that the NDA government will go to this extent to divide the state and also take away the statehood. The BJP has betrayed people of the country."

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram termed the BJP's move as "catastrophic". "Now the BJP can divide any state into two or three or more. I want to warn every party and citizen that this is the beginning of the division of India. This is the worst day in the constitution of India," Chidambaram said in strong words.

Former Union Finance Minister and BJP leader, Arun Jaitley, tweeted, "My complements to the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji and the Home Minister Shri Amit Shah for correcting a historical blunder."

Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray tweeted a picture of celebration. He said, "Celebrations outside Shiv Sena Bhavan. Proud today as Indians, as we open up Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh to peace, progress and prosperity."

Opposition divided

Though Congress, the principal opposition party, opposed the Centre's move, several non-BJP parties supported the Centre over the issue.

Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which fought vehemently against the Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha polls 2019, has extended its support to the BJP-led Centre.

Odisha ruling party Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which has helped the BJP to pass the RTI and Triple Talaq bills in the ongoing parliamentary session, has also supported the saffron party.

On the contrary, BJP's ally Janata Dal (United) opposed the bill and walked out of the Rajya Sabha. 

So far, the Congress, the Trinamool Congress, the Left, the DMK, the Muslim League have opposed the BJP's move.