In one of the biggest announcement on Jammu and Kashmir post India’s Independence in 1947, the central government-led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi bifurcated Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Amidst uproar in Rajya Sabha, Home Minister Amit Shah declared Jammu and Kashmir as Union Territory. Shah said that J-K will have its own legislature. He also announced that Ladakh will also be a Union Territory but without the legislature. In the meantime, Article 370 – which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir – is removed. Also, the Article 35A of the Indian Constitution, which empowers Jammu and Kashmir state's legislature to define “permanent residents” of the state and provide special rights and privileges to those permanent residents, has been scrapped with immediate effect after direct approval from President Ram Nath Kovind. Soon after the announcements, reactions poured in from all the corners of the country.
Reacting on government's decision to scrap Article 370 of the Constitution, former Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti​ said that today is the 'darkest day in Indian democracy'. In a tweet, Mehbooba Mufti said, "Decision of J&K leadership to reject 2 nation theory in 1947 & align with India has backfired. Unilateral decision of GOI to scrap Article 370 is illegal & unconstitutional which will make India an occupational force in J&K."
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti, in a tweet, said: "Decision of J&K leadership to reject 2 nation theory in 1947 & align with India has backfired. Unilateral decision of GOI to scrap Article 370 is illegal & unconstitutional which will make India an occupational force in J&K."
In a tweet, BJP's Ram Madhav said, "What a glorious day. Finally d martyrdom of thousands starting with Dr Shyam Prasad Mukharjee for compete integration of J&K into Indian Union is being honoured and d seven decade old demand of d entire nation being realised in front of our eyes; in our life time. Ever imagined?"
Dr Kumar Vishvas also commented regarding the fresh development and thanked the government for the announcement.
Former DGP of J&K, Shesh Paul Vaid, said, "Bold, historic and much needed change announced by Hon'ble Union Home Minister Amit Shah. I'm sure this will bring investment and development in Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir. We welcome this step. Jai Hind. #Article370"
BJP national spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, said, "PM @narendramodi ji ne kamaal kar diya. Desh ki ummeedon pe khare utre. Many many congrats to @narendramodi ji and @AmitShah ji on this historic decision regarding #Article370 . This has opened up the path of growth and development for #JammuAndKashmir."
Slamming the move, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "BJP is making a mockery of the Constitution." "We stand by the constitution of India. We will safeguard the constitution of India with our lives. But today BJP has murdered constitution," he added.
Subramanian Swamy also commented on Twitter, saying that his theory regarding Kashmir has been proved right.
Former Karnataka chief minister Sadananda Gowda also tweeted, saying that it is the day he lived for.
Shiv Sena's Priyanka Chaturvedi also backed the move to remove Article 370 and said, "Goosebumps. This is historic. Integration of Jammu&Kashmir is a must to ensure peace and development in the region, removing Article 370 has sealed that. I ensured my kids also witnessed this moment in history."
BJP politician SG Suryah said, "Finally, Bharatiya Jana Sangh’s(Today’s BJP) Founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee's supreme sacrifice bore its fruit today, August 5th, 2019."
BJP leader and actor Paresh Rawal praised the government proposal to scrap Article 370 and said, "Today is the true and complete independence of our (link: https://motherland.Today) motherland. Today in the true sense of the word INDIA becomes ONE !!! Jai Hind."
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan called the government's proposal a historic move and said, "Today, the dream of crores of Indians, cherished since the time of Jan Sangh, has come true."
BJP leader Sushma Swaraj has also tweeted on the move. She said, "A bold and historic decision. We salute our Great India - one India."
Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray praised the proposal to scrap Article 370 and said, "Historic day for India. 370 scrapped and Jammu & Kashmir now truly a part of India. The path to a safer, progressive and an open J&K determined by citizens, and not anti-national separatists has been paved."
RELATED
BJP leader and former finance minister Arun Jaitley has also commented on the decision and said it is a "monumental decision towards national integration."
/newsnation-english/media/agency_attachments/2024-07-23t155806234z-logo-webp.webp){kind=logo}
Follow Us/newsnation-english/media/post_attachments/images/2019/08/05/reaction-1000.jpg)