The BJP-led Centre on Monday scrapped Article 370 of the constitution that gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The former border state will now be a Union Territory with a legislature.
The state was also split by hiving off Ladakh region from the state and making it into a Union Territory as well but without a legislature.
After the Union Cabinet met on Monday morning, Home Minister Amit Shah announced in the Rajya Sabha that provisions of Article 370 were being scrapped.
The home minister said the Ladakh division of Jammu & Kashmir would be made a separate Union Territory, a longstanding demand of the people of that region. He said the Union Territory of Ladakh would not have a legislature.
Shah said keeping in view the prevailing internal security situation, fuelled by cross-border terrorism in the existing state of Jammu & Kashmir, a separate Union Territory for Jammu and Kashmir was being created. The Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir would have a legislature.
Parties like BSP, BJD, AIADMK and AAP supported the decision and spoke in favor of the bill.
Former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti oppsed the bill vehemently and said that “Today marks the darkest day in Indian democracy. 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 it’s people. India has failed Kashmir in keeping its promises”, she added.
National Conference leader leader Omar Abdullah in a statement said that, “the decision will have far-reaching and dangerous consequences”.
Earlier today, the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Second Amnedment) Bill was passed in Rajya Sabha.