In a historic move, the BJP-led Centre has scrapped Article 370 of the constitution that gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir and converted the border state into a Union Territory with a legislature.
Jammu and Kashmir has been bifurcated, it is no longer a state. Ladakh on the other hand is a union territory without an assembly. The state laws will no longer be applicable. Central laws will now apply in Jammu and Kashmir.
Amid ruckus in Rajya Sabha, Home Minister Amit Shah announced that Article 370 has been scrapped by presidential order with President Ram Nath Kovind signing a notification to this effect.
It may be mentioned that the entire valley is under curfew with former chief ministers and opposition party leaders under house arrest.
While the opposition leaders in the Valley termed the move as unconstitutional and a total betrayal of Kashmiris’ trust, parties like BSP, AIADMK, YSRCP and BJD have backed the Modi government’s move.
Reacting to the historic decision, Omar Abdullah, Vice President, National Conference said the move is a total betrayal of the trust that the people of J&K had reposed in India when the state acceded to it in 1947.
He further cautioned that the consequences would have far-reaching and dangerous consequences and accused the Centre of resorting to deceit and stealth in the weeks gone by to prepare the ground for these disastrous decisions.
The Centre’s decision to scrap article 370 evoked sharp reactions from former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti who termed the move of the Centre to scrap Article 370 as illegal and unconstitutional.
Taking to Twitter, Mufti said that this decision of the Centre will have catastrophic consequences.
The review meeting was attended by Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Tripura.
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