Modi govt proposes scrapping Article 370, making Kashmir a Union Territory

Welcome Guest! You are here: Home » India

Modi govt proposes scrapping Article 370, making Kashmir a Union Territory

The bill proposes to make Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory with Assembly and Ladakh will be UT without assembly

Monday August 5, 2019 11:45 AM, ummid.com & Agencies

New Delhi: The Narendra Modi government on Monday proposed to scrap Article 370 in Kashmir and also introduced Jammu and Kashmir Re-Organisation Bill 2019 to bifurcate the state.

The bill proposes to make Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory with Assembly and Ladakh will be UT without assembly.

There was ruckus in the Rajya Sabha as Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the controversial bill in the house. Slogan shouting started with opposition leaders saying "emergency days have come again".

Earlier, Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Monday criticised the Narendra Modi-led government for the house arrest of senior political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, saying that it was a signal that the government will defy all democratic norms to achieve its objectives.

In a series of tweets, Chidambaram said: "Before the day is over we will know if there will be a major crisis in J&K. Keeping my fingers crossed."

"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", he wrote.

Slamming the Modi government, Chidambaram said: "I had warned of a misadventure in Jammu and Kashmir. It seems the government is determined to embark upon one."

Also Read | Exams postponed; Omar, Mehbooba under house arrest, restrictions across Kashmir

His remarks came hours after many senior political leaders including former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah, were not allowed to move out of their houses as strict restrictions were imposed in the Kashmir Valley from Monday morning.

Senior Congress leader and former Union Ministers Shashi Tharoor and Jyotiraditya Scindia also condemned the government over its decision to put the political leaders under house arrest.

'You are not alone, Omar'

Tharoor tweeted: "You are not alone Omar Abdullah. Every Indian democrat will stand with the decent mainstream leaders in Kashmir as you face up to whatever the government has in store for our country. Parliament is still in session and our voices will not be stilled."

"What is going on in J&K? Why would leaders be arrested overnight while having done no wrong? If Kashmiris are our citizens and their leaders our partners, surely the mainstream ones must be kept on board while we act against terrorists and separatists? If we alienate them, who's left?" he asked.

Scindia also took to twitter and wrote: "The uncertainty and fear only serves to worsen the situation. Government must be open, transparent, and take people and opposition leaders into confidence."

"Leaders being placed under house arrest overnight while mass hysteria and deployment of troops, both continue to rise. The situation in Kashmir is indeed worrying. The govt must make its intentions clear", he added.

For all the latest News, Opinions and Views, download ummid.com App.

Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.