Home Minister Amit Shah moves Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019 in Lok sabha. He is expected to introduce 3 bills today in Lok Sabha, Bill scrapping article 370, Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Bill 2019 and The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Second Amendment) Bill 2019.
The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Bill 2019 Bill has been previously approved by Rajya Sabha with 125 votes in favor to 61 against it. While addressing the house, Amit Shah also claimed that when he uses the expression “Jammu and Kashmir”, he also means the combined parts of Aksai Chin (China occupied part of Kashmir) and POK (Pakistan occupied Kashmir).
#WATCH Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in Lok Sabha: Main sadan mein jab jab Jammu and Kashmir rajya bola hoon tab tab Pakistan occupied Kashmir aur Aksai Chin dono iska hissa hain, ye baat hai…Jaan de denge iske liye! pic.twitter.com/CqPf7vEJwh
— ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2019
The Union government has decided to revoke Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, owing to which the state enjoyed certain special privileges. The erstwhile state could define its own residents, have its own state flag and its own constitution. Due to 370 provisions, many acts of the Indian government were not applicable to the state.
Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury told parliament that the Kashmir situation is not an “internal issue” of India but a bilateral issue. He raised the instances of Shimla agreement and Lahore Declaration.
#WATCH Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Congress, in Lok Sabha: You say that it is an internal matter. But it is being monitored since 1948 by the UN, is that an internal matter? We signed Shimla Agreement & Lahore Declaration, what that an internal matter or bilateral? pic.twitter.com/RNyUFTPzca
— ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2019
Another MP from Congress, Manish Tewari speaking on the floor, said that it is for the first time that the country is witnessing a situation where a state is being transformed into Union territory. Earlier, the transition has been completely opposite. Till now, many Union territories have been changed into States. He called it a big blow to federalism structure of the country.
Manish Tewari, Congress: In last 70 yrs, several times we saw demands that union territories be converted into states but this is probably the first time in history that a state has been converted into union territory. There cannot be a bigger blow to federal structure than this. pic.twitter.com/DcXjbmbxOY
— ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2019
Manish Tewari also raised his voice over the precedent that will be set by this move. He cornered the government about their intentions regarding Article 371 that also gives special status to a few states.
Manish Tewari: That you can revoke Article 371 tomorrow? By imposing President's rule in the north eastern states, and using the rights of their Assemblies in the Parliament, you can scrap Article 371 too? What kind of Constitutional Precedent are you setting in the country? https://t.co/7olq8LnROO
— ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2019
On another side, AITMC (All India Trinamool Congress) staged a walkout as a protest against the Bills.
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