Lok Sabha passes Article 370 resolution, J-K Reorganisation Bill by massive majority

The resolution scrapping Article 370 of the Constitution which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir has been passed in Lok Sabha by division of votes with 351 members in support and 72 against it. One member abstained from voting. The House also cleared the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019, by 370 "AYES" and 70 "NO" on Tuesday. The J-K Reorganisation Bill seeks to bifurcate the state into two Union Territories (UTs) of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Parliament also approved another bill to extend 10 per cent reservation to economically weaker sections in Jammu and Kashmir.

On Monday, Rajya Sabha passed the J-K Reorganisation Bill by 125 "Ayes" and 61 "No" in Rajya Sabha amid a walkout by opposition parties. Opposition BSP, BJD, AIADMK and YSR-Congress voted in favour of the bill while Congress, DMK, Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, JDU vehemently opposed the resolution.

Resolution revoking Article 370 from Jammu & Kashmir passed in Lok Sabha pic.twitter.com/BhDpDJV0Bs

— ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2019

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Moving the resolution following President Ram Nath Kovind's order abrogating Article 370, Union Home Minister Amit Shah sought the permission of both the Houses to bring the bill, adding that the controversial provisions were responsible for poverty and lack of development in the state. Asked how long will Jammu and Kashmir remain a Union Territory, Shah, however, said full statehood will be restored again at "appropriate time" and after "normalcy" returns in the region.

In a bold and far-reaching decision, Shah on Monday informed the Rajya Sabha that Article 370, which gave Jammu and Kashmir special rights, has been scrapped with President Kovind's assent and also moved the bifurcation bill.

Shortly afterwards, Kovind came out with a notification - The Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 2019 that will come into force immediately. The order will supersede the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954 as amended from time to time.

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The notification also made it clear that all the provisions of the Constitution as amended from time to time, shall apply in relation to the state of Jammu and Kashmir and the exceptions and modifications subject to which they shall so apply.

The decisions mark a new milestone in the country's politics with the BJP-led government breaking new grounds on issues that have been virtually untouched in last more than 70 years.