J-K will revert to being a state when the right time comes: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during a debate on the government’s move to revoke Article 370 and Article 35(A) of the Constitution on Monday, said Jammu and Kashmir will be reverted to a state “when the right time comes”. 

Putting an end to all wild speculations and online and offline rumours, the Narendra Modi government on Monday revoked the Article 370 that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also proposed the bifurcation of the state. The third key takeaway of the big announcement was the scrapping of Article 35A, which empowered Jammu and Kashmir state's legislature to define “permanent residents” of the state and provide special rights and privileges to those permanent residents. The Monday’s big announcements will have far reaching effects on the ground.

“How long will J&K remain a Union Territory - to that I have an answer, when the right time comes then Jammu and Kashmir will revert to being a state. We don't want to remain a Union Territory forever. It may take time but it will become a state once again, one day,” Shah said in Rajya Sabha.

Shah moved a resolution in Rajya Sabha that Article 370 of the Constitution, which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir, will not be applicable in the state. Making a statement, Shah said this will come into effect when the President gives assent and the central government notifies it.

The Upper House witnessed massive uproar soon after the announcement by the Home Minister. 

Shah also said the government doesn’t believe in politics of religion.

“We don't believe in politics of religion, what vote-bank politics? Only Muslims live in Kashmir? What do you want to say? Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists all live there. If 370 is good it is good for all, if it is bad then it is bad for all,” Shah said in the Upper House of Parliament.

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