Jammu & Kashmir no longer a special status state, Ladakh to be carved out as separate UT

Hindutva leader Pravin Togadia on Monday welcomed the Union government's decisions on Jammu and Kashmir as a "great milestone".

Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed the Rajya Sabha that Article 370, which gave Jammu and Kashmir special rights, has been scrapped with the President's assent and also moved a bill to divide the state into two Union territories.

"Congrats for the fantastic decision to abrogate 370 from J&K and make Ladakh separate from J&K as 2 separate Union Territories. Long pending dream &demand of HinduSthan fulfilled. Bravo!Sure,now Kashmiri Hindus would get their homes,land back&stay there safely," tweeted Togadia, who heads the Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad.

"I congratulate PM Modiji & HM Amitbhai Shah for this great milestone," he said. 

Pakistan President Arif Alvi summoned a joint session of the Parliament on Tuesday, hours after the Indian government on Monday abolished Article 370 of the Constitution which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, according to a media report. The joint sitting, to be held at 11 am (local time) on Tuesday, will review the tense situation in Jammu and Kashmir and along the Line of Control, Geo TV reported.

The Indian government on Monday revoked Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir and proposed that the state be bifurcated into two union territories, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Reacting to the announcement, Pakistan Foreign Office said, "Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognised disputed territory" and "no unilateral step by the Government of India can change this disputed status."

The FO also said that Pakistan will exercise all possible options "to counter the illegal steps."

The Indian move was also "strongly condemned" by Pakistani politicians, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president and opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif who termed it "unacceptable" and an "act of treason" against the United Nations.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh described on Monday the Centre's move of revoking Article 370 that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir as "totally unconstitutional" and said such a decision should not have been "pushed through" in an arbitrary manner. He flayed the manner in which the Centre "imposed" the decision, saying the democratic fabric of the nation has been "ripped apart" with this "unprecedented violation of the Constitutional norms".

"It is a dark day for the Indian democracy," Amarinder said, adding that the Constitution of India has been rewritten without following any legal provisions.

"This will set a bad precedent as it would mean that the Centre could reorganise any state in the country by simply imposing President's rule," the chief minister said in a statement.

The Constitutional provisions has been "abused" as never before, he added.

Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah moved a resolution in Rajya Sabha to abolish Article 370 after the President issued a notification and also moved a bill to divide the state into two Union territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Former Solicitor General Harish Salve said the government has not scrapped Article 370 of the Constitution but its provisions which includes Article 35A. Speaking to media in the Supreme Court, Salve said: "Article 370 states the provisions under it will be introduced through Presidential order. Article 35A was inserted through the Presidential order in 1954. Today, the same order has been superseded."

Speaking on the government's Bill on redrawing state boundaries or state reorganization, Salve said: "The Bill concerning the state bifurcation will be introduced in Parliament twice. The Bill will only gain significance when it is passed by Parliament...this is a political decision."

According to Article 35A, the state legislature is authorised to define the status of Jammu and Kashmir's permanent residents.

It was inserted in the Constitution through a Presidential order in 1954.

According to it, no outsider can own a property in Jammu And Kashmir and get a state job.

This Article also deprived female citizens of the state claiming any property right if they marry an outsider. This provision was also extended to children born of any such female citizen. This contention has also been challenged in the Supreme Court through a petition. A total of six petitions challenging Article 35A were filed in the top court.

DMK President M.K. Stalin on Monday condemned the Central government's decision to revoke Article 370 of the Constitution that confers special status to Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and bifurcate the state into two Union Territories.

Stalin said the decision to scrap Article 370 at a time when there is no elected government in J&K was condemnable.

He said an elected Chief Minister and a Governor cannot be equated. "The Governor cannot be expected to know the feelings of the people like a Chief Minister would," he said.

The DMK President said taking such a decision after putting the state leaders under house arrest and disconnecting all communication lines proves the Central government has done it with an ulterior motive. He asked the Centre to keep the implementation of the decision on abeyance till a government is elected in J&K.

Speaking to reporters, Stalin said it was also condemnable that the AIADMK had also supported the Centre in murdering democracy. "Instead of calling itself as All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the party should now rename itself All India Bharatiya Janata Party," he said.

As members of the treasury benches clapped and gave a standing ovation to Home Minister Amit Shah when he entered the Rajya Sabha, it became amply clear that the Modi government had decided to axe Article 370 of the Constitution that gives Jammu and Kashmir special status.

When Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu told the members that he had given special permission to the Home Minister to move a resolution and bills related to Jammu and Kashmir, it was a clear indication what lay behind the major military build up in the state.

Minutes later, Shah proposed scrapping provisions that allowed Jammu and Kashmir a special status among all Indian states.

This triggered a massive uproar from the Congress and other parties over the manner in which the resolutions had been brought.

Two PDP members, Nazir Ahmad Laway and Mir Mohammad Fayaz, were very agitated. They were immediately removed from the House by marshals on orders from the Chairman.

Opposing the bills introduced by Amit Shah, Fayaz tore his own kurta while Nazir Ahmad tore up the Indian constitution.

In the backdrop of the Centre's decision to scrap Article 370 which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Home Ministry on Monday issued an advisory to all states to put security forces and law enforcement agencies on maximum alert.

The order was sent to Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories, Directors General of Police and the Commissioner of Delhi Police soon after the Union Cabinet took the decision to scrap Article 370 of the Constitution and split Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir with an Assembly and Ladakh without one.

As per the order, requisite measures may be taken to ensure that peace and communal amity is maintained in all parts of the country and special attention may be paid to communally sensitive areas.

The order stressed that special care should be taken to ensure the safety and security of residents of Jammu and Kashmir, especially students, in various parts of the country.

"Adequate publicity may be given to the measures taken by state governments, Union Territories to inspire confidence in the sections concerned and to sensitize the public against any mischief or breach of peace."

The government had taken into account all the contingencies while planning the revocation of Article 370 and reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir, including the possibility of disobedience by local police and administration. The induction of more than 20,000 troops in the last few days was aimed at taking full control of the situation in the state and deal with any emergency like failure to obey orders.

Informed sources said the troop induction was still going on as companies of central armed police forces were being flown from several states including Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha to Jammu and Kashmir in Indian Air Force (IAF) planes.

They will join the law enforcement efforts in the entire Kashmir Valley and prevent street protests. 

After the abrogation of Article 370, the government has planned a major investment summit in Jammu and Kashmir in October which will be attended by all the prominent leaders of India.

Sources said the summit is expected to take place around Dussehra as the government believed that scrapping of Article 370 will create a conducive atmosphere for investments in the region.

The government said the Article was one of the biggest stumbling blocks in the development of the state as it prevented non-Kashmiris from investing in land or property. It also prevented the industry to set up manufacturing units.

The government said the Article was an impediment in restricting private or global investment in the state. The officials hope that the situation will calm down and people will understand that the removal of the special status was for their own benefit. 

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for their "bold step" to revoke Article 370 and 35A of the Constitution.

"A historic decision by Modi Sarkar towards unity, integrity and national sovereignty. I congratulate PM Shri @narendramodi ji & HM Shri AmitShah ji for the bold step #Article370 #35A," Sawant tweeted.

Speaking to reporters, Sawant also called the decision "historic". When asked if security needed to be beefed up in Goa in view of the development, he said there was no need to increase security arrangements.

Sawant also said that the Kashmiri community settled in Goa, many of whom deal in handicraft items, "should be happy with the decisions" taken by the Central government.

Hindu Pandits who have been displaced from the Kashmir Valley on Monday hailed the decision to scrap Article 370 of the Constitution giving special status to Jammu and Kashmir and said they hoped this will help them return to their lost homes.

"This is certainly a historical and bold decision. The people of Kashmir will soon get closer to the government of India and this will boost the economy of the two newly formed Union Territories," said Manoj Bhan, a member of Jammu and Kashmir Vichar Manch.

"We must congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for introducing a historic measure. I hope this fulfils our dream of getting back to the Valley," said Satish Mahaldar, another Pandit leader.

The comments came soon after Home Minister Amit Shah announced that Article 370 was being scrapped and that Jammu and Kashmir would be split into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir with an Assembly and Ladakh without one.

Scheduled Castes Valmikis from Punjab, West Pakistan refugees, Gorkhas and women living in Jammu and Kashmir for the past six decades were suffering as they were not treated as residents of the state, the government said on Monday while explaining why Article 35A (that defined permanent residents of J&K) had to go.

In a booklet issued on the scrapping of special status to Jammu and Kashmir, the government said that the Valmikis (Dalits) living in the state since 1957 were compelled to become sweepers in the Municipality of Jammu and were not given permanent residence certificate (PRC).

The note said the youth of the community may be qualified as lawyers, doctors and teachers but were only eligible for the post of sweeper in the absence of PRC. The women, too, could not choose their life partner outside the state, said the government, making the Article unconstitutional, discriminatory and biased.

MDMK leader Vaiko on Monday described the government's move to scrap Article 370 of the Constitution that gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir a day of "sorrow", saying the promise made to the people of Kashmir had not been kept. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Vaiko said: "Today is a day of sorrow because we have not kept our promise. When the Pakistani troops entered the terrain of Kashmir, then Maharaja Hari Singh sent an emissary to Jawaharlal Nehru... The Instrument of Accession was signed."

Vaiko said that while Kashmiri leader Sheikh Abdullah decided to go with India, he placed one condition: "The individuality and originality of the state of J&K will not be compromised."

He added that Nehru had even offered to hold a plebiscite to determine the views of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Slamming the Congress, Vaiko said: "A fraud was committed by the Congress." He accused the Congress of killing democracy all these years. 

The former Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, P.D.T. Acharya, on Monday said the government's decision on revoking Article 370, which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir, needs more clarity than high decibel verbose. Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday moved a resolution in the Rajya Sabha seeking to introduce a Bill revoking all the provisions associated with Article 370 of the Constitution.

The Home Minister also introduced Bills to bifurcate the state into Ladakh as a Union Territory without a legislature and Jammu and Kashmir as a Union Territory with an Assembly.

Speaking to IANS, Acharya said: "The President has the power to abrogate Article 370. He exercised it to introduce changes to the status of Article 370 in the Constitution. But there needs to be more clarity on the operationalization of this Gazette notification."

He emphasized that the revocation of Article 370 would take away all the provisions associated with it in the Constitution.

"The state was under Centre's rule as there was no Legislative Assembly. The Constitution needs amendment and that can be done in concurrence with the state government. Therefore, there should be more clarity on this", added Acharya.

The Left parties on Monday lashed out at the government for revoking Article 370, saying that it was the "murder of democracy" and will serve to only to further "alienate" the people of the region. The government on Monday abolished the article that gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir and moved a separate bill to bifurcate the state into two separate union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

"What the government has done is regressive and will further alienate the people of Jammu and Kashmir. This is the murder of democracy," CPI general secretary D Raja said.

The CPI(M) termed the move an "attack" on the Constitution and said the Left parties will hold a protest against the move on Monday.

"This is an attack on the Indian Constitution by scrapping Article 370 and dismantling the state of Jammu and Kashmir. They will be led by the central leadership of these parties," the party said. 

Pakistan says it "strongly condemns announcements" made by Indian Government regarding Jammu and Kashmir.

MHA issues advisory to all Union Territories and states. The home ministry has asked all states and UT administration to be on alert. 

"Take special care of Kashmiri students," MHA tells all states and UTs.

"We heartily welcome government's brave decision; it was very necessary for national interest, including of J&K," says RSS.

Senior Congress leader and former home minister P Chidambaram says: "We anticipated a misadventure, but did not think in our wildest dreams that they will take such a catastrophic step."

"Today is a black day in the constitutional history of India," he adds. 

As soon as the lower House met and Speaker Om Birla read out a statement requesting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to modernize Parliament with new technology on completion of 75 years of Independence in 2022, the opposition, led by the Congress, raised the Kashmir issue.

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury urged: "Sir, you should at least give us our rights (to speak)."

The central government has imposed restrictions in Kashmir and confined former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti to their homes amid a major security build up.

The Speaker ignored the Congress plea following which members of opposition parties including the Congress, DMK, TMC, JKNC, RSP, AIMIM and SP were on their seat shouting "Dadagiri nahi chalegi", "Tanasahi nahi chalegi", "Prime Minister jawab do", "We Want Justice" and "Stop Divide and Rule".

Later, the agitating members of the Congress, DMK, SP and RSP massed near the Speaker's podium.

But the TDP, BJD, BSP and YSR Congress members did not take part in the protest.

"BJP revoked Article 370 for votes. It is playing with unity and integrity of state," says Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Six columns of Army deployed in Jammu for maintaining of law and order

Opposition parties on Monday created ruckus in Lok Sabha as they raised concerns about the Kashmir situation even as the House continued to transact business.

Members from the Congress, DMK, National Conference and RSP were in the Well shouting slogans and demanding a reply from the government on the Kashmir situation.

Amid the din, the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill and The Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill were introduced. Besides, the House took up a discussion on The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill.

Opposition members continued with their sloganeering for more than an hour in the Lower House. Over 30 members were in the Well. Some of them were heard shouting slogans such as 'We want justice' and 'Don't divide Kashmir'.

"Bold", "historic" and "monumental" -- this is how BJP leaders described on Monday the government's decision to revoke Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Asserting that separate status led to separatism, Jaitley in a blog said that no dynamic nation can allow this situation to continue.

"A historical wrong has been undone today. Article 35A came through the back door without following the procedure under Article 368 of the Constitution of India. It had to go," he said.

"The decision of the government will help the people of Jammu and Kashmir the most. More investment, more industry, more private educational institutions, more jobs and more revenue will come," he said.

Kashmir's regional leaders now feel that they will not be able to whip up the fake issue of 'sentiment versus benefit to the people', Jaitley said.
"A bold and historic decision. We salute our Great India - one India," former foreign minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted. 

All security forces formations in the country, specifically in Jammu and Kashmir, are on 'high alert' following the government revoking Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Monday.

They said the Union Home Ministry has directed all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and central security agencies to take "necessary precautions" and step up protection of their campuses and movements by issuing specific advisories.

"An advisory for remaining on a high alert mode has been issued to all the security forces across the country, especially for their units based in Jammu and Kashmir," a senior official said.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) alert is based on general inputs analysed after any important event. The latest directive came after the government abolished Article 370 that gives special status on Jammu and Kashmir and also in view of the upcoming Independence Day celebrations.

On Monday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah moved a resolution in the Rajya Sabha stating that Article 370, which allowed Jammu and Kashmir to have its own Constitution, will no longer be applicable.

The Janata Dal (United), a key ally of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), on Monday opposed Home Minister Amit Shah's proposal seeking to axe Article 370 which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

The party leader in the Rajya Sabha, Ram Nath Thakur, said the JD-U had always favoured resolving the Kashmir issue through negotiations.

"I on behalf of the party and our leader Nitish Kumar want to boycott the bills brought by Home Minister with some clarifications," he said.

He added that since 1996 it was decided that all controversial issues would be settled through court order or negotiations.

The JD (U) last week opposed the bill criminalizing Triple Talaq.

Today is black day in constitutional history of India: Congress leader P Chidambaram on govt revoking Article 370

The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the BJP on Monday welcomed the government's "historic" decision on Article 370 of the Constitution, which grants special status to the state, saying the people were thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "mitigating their pain".

Reacting to the developments after Home Minister Amit Shah moved a resolution in Rajya Sabha to revoke Article 370, state BJP president Ravinder Raina said the residents of Jammu and Kashmir irrespective of their caste, creed and religion are with the prime minister.

"It is a historic moment for Jammu and Kashmir... the entire population of the state is thankful to him (Modi) for mitigating their pain," Raina said.

"Modi was the first to reach out to Kashmiris when they were facing the brunt of devastating floods in 2014. He visited them and made every effort to ensure their safety," he added.

Senior BJP leader and former deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh too congratulated the people and said the whole country had waited for over 70 years for this moment.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday supported the Union government on scrapping Article 370 of the Constitution and to give Jammu and Kashmir a Union Territory status, saying he hopes the steps will bring peace and development to the state.

"We support the government on its decisions on J&K. We hope this will bring peace and development in the state," the Aam Aadmi Party leader tweeted.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday proposed to scrap Article 370 of the Constitution which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir and said the state will be split into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir with an Assembly and Ladakh without one.

Delhi too is a Union Territory with an Assembly.

India has become independent in true sense today: Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray on Article 370 move

The government on Monday abolished Article 370 that gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir and moved a separate bill to bifurcate the state into two separate union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. 

Home Minister Amit Shah moved the resolution on Article 370 as also the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill 2019 amid massive uproar by opposition parties. He informed the House that President Ram Nath Kovind has signed the official notification abrogating Article 370.

As soon as Shah made the announcement, members of the Congress, TMC and DMK squat on the floor of the House, one of the PDP members tore his clothes and then along with another PDP member tore copies of the Constitution, prompting Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu to order that they be physically removed.

I don't think there is anything revolutionary here. It's a political decision even though it is not a wise decision, says Former Attorney General Soli Sorabjee on Bill moved in Rajya Sabha today, to revoke Article 370.

President Ram Nath Kovind in "concurrence" with the "Jammu and Kashmir government" promulgated Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 2019 on Monday which states that provisions of the Indian Constitution are applicable in the state.

The president issued Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 2019 which comes into force "at once", and shall "supersede the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954".

"All the provisions of the Constitution" shall apply in relation to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, it said.

The government has added in the Article 367 of the Constitution a clause 4 which makes four changes.

"Reference to this Constitution or to the provisions thereof shall be construed as references to the Constitution or the provisions thereof as applied in relations to Jammu and Kashmir," it said. 

In real sense today, Jammu and Kashmir has become a part of India. My party supports this resolution. We are a regional party but for us, nation is first, says BJD MP Prasanna Acharya in Rajya Sabha

Indian Army and Indian Air Force have been put on high alert, following revoking of Article 370 and other decisions announced by Government of India.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reacted to the scrapping of Article 370 and Article 35A and said, "Long and tough battle lies ahead, we are ready for that. Government resorted to deceit, stealth in recent weeks to lay the ground for these disastrous decisions: Omar Abdullah on govt move on Article 370."

"The unilateral decision by govt, a total betrayal of trust: says Omar Abdullah on govt move on Article 370," Omar Abdullah said. 

BJP ally Shiv Sena on Monday demanded former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti be booked under the newly-amended anti-terror law for using "terrorism language" against opponents of Article 35 A, which grants special rights to the permanent residents of Kashmir.

In an editorial published in its Marathi mouthpiece "Saamana", the Uddhav Thackeray-led party also supported the government's move to curtail the annual Amarnath Yatra. 

"(Mehbooba) Mufti had said that hands of those who would touch the article 35 A should be burned (and that) the Kashmiri people should be ready for sacrifice.

"The Home Minister of the country should not entertain such language of instigation and rebellion. It is the language of terrorism. She (Mufti) should be sent to jail under the new UAPA...If not done, their conspiracy to trigger riots in Kashmir will succeed," Sena said.

Fresh batch of 8,000 paramilitary troops airlifted and moved to Kashmir Valley from Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Assam and other parts of the country.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday proposed to scrap Article 370 of the Constitution which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir and said the state will be split into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir with an Assembly and Ladakh without one.

Making a historic announcement in the Rajya Sabha that triggered bedlam, Shah said: "I am presenting the resolution to revoke Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir except the first clause 370 (1)."

Following his speech amid the bedlam, the House was adjourned.

In a separate statement, Shah said the government had proposed to reorganize Jammu and Kashmir carving out two separate Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir.

He said this had been done in view of constant threats of cross border terrorism.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday made it clear that it was wrong to say that Article 370 of the Constitution linked Jammu and Kashmir with India.

"Opposition leaders are saying that Article 370 brought Jammu and Kashmir to India. But the fact is that the Maharaja Hari Singh signed on October 27, 1947 (the Instrument of Accession) while Article 370 came into existence in 1949.

"So this is wrong to say that Article 370 brought Jammu and Kashmir with India," the Minister told the Rajya Sabha in response to Congress leader and former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad who condemned the government decision to axe Article 370.

Leader of Opposition Azad said: "By revoking Article 370 that accords special status to Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP government has murdered the Constitution of India.

"We stand by the Constitution of India... We are willing to give up our lives for the Constitution, but we condemn any act against the Constitution."

Government's move on Article 370 is monumental decision towards national integration, says senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley.

This is not the first time, Congress in 1952 and 1962 amended article 370 through a similar process. So instead of protesting please let me speak and have a discussion, all your doubts and misunderstandings will be cleared, I am ready to answer all your questions, says Home Minister Amit Shah. 

Our party gives complete support. We want that the Bill be passed. Our party is not expressing any opposition to Article 370 Bill and the other Bill, says Satish BSP MP Chandra Mishra in Rajya Sabha. 

PDP's RS MPs Nazir Ahmad Laway and MM Fayaz protest in Parliament premises after resolution revoking Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir moved by Home Minister in Rajya Sabha; the 2 PDP MPs were asked to go out of the House after they attempted to tear the constitution. MM Fayaz also tore his kurta in protest.

Bahujan Samaj Party supports the government on scrapping of Article 370 for Jammu and Kashmir.

Two PDP members physically removed from Rajya Sabha by marshals after they tear copies of Indian Constitution.

BJP general secretary Ram Madhav reacted to the scrapping of Article 370 and Article 35A and said, "finally martyrdom of thousands including Shyam Prasad Mukherjee for complete integration of J&K into India is being honoured."

"Seven-decade-old demand of entire nation being realised in front of our eyes; in our lifetime," Ram Madhav said.

Under the umbrella of Article 370 three families looted Jammu and Kashmir for years. Leader of Opposition (GN Azad) said Article 370 connected Jammu and Kashmir to India, it's not true. Maharaja Hari Singh signed Jammu and Kashmir Instrument of Accession on 27 Oct 1947, Article 370 came in 1954, says Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament

The government on Monday moved a bill proposing bifurcation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories -- Jammu and Kashmir division and Ladakh. Making the announcement in Rajya Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the UT in Ladakh will have no legislature like Chandigarh while the other UT of Jammu and Kashmir will have a legislature like Delhi and Puducherry. Shah introduced the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation bill.

Congress' Ghulam Nabi Azad stood strong against the scrapping of Article 370 and Article 35A in Jammu and Kashmir and accused the government of killing the Indian Constitution. 

"I strongly condemn the act that destroys the Indian Constitution and we stand by the Constitution of India. The Bharatiya Janata Party has 'murdered' the Constitution of India," Azad said. 

Government statement on announcing Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir as separate Union Territories.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti reacted to Amit Shah's big announcement and said, "Today marks the darkest day in Indian democracy. 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." 

Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir to be separate union territories, proposes government

Article 35A also to be scrapped in Jammu and Kashmir, says Amit Shah in Parliament. 

Ruckus in Rajya Sabha after Home Minister Amit Shah's announcement on Jammu and Kashmir.

Home Minister Amit Shah moves a resolution in Rajya Sabha that all clauses of Article 370 will not be applicable to Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing the Parliament on Kashmir issue, Home Minister Amit Shah proposed to revoke various clauses of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

In Rajya Sabha, Congress' Ghulam Nabi Azad raises the issue of house arrest of top Kashmir leaders.

Home Minister Amit Shah is addressing the Parliament on Jammu and Kashmir issue, amid uproar by Opposition. 

Home Minister Amit Shah has arrived in Parliament, where he is slated to make a big announcement on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. 

Leaders of Opposition parties today met in Parliament complex to discuss the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad met leaders of various parties in his office in Parliament and discussed the situation with them. Leaders of political parties including the CPI, CPI(M), RJD, AAP, TMC, DMK attended the meeting. PDP MPs from Jammu and Kashmir also protested on the issue in Parliament complex.

Home Minister Amit Shah will make a statement in Parliament on Monday, amidst speculation that it could be on Jammu and Kashmir. A home ministry spokesperson said Shah will speak in Rajya Sabha at 11 am and in Lok Sabha at noon. Earlier, the Union Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had an hour-long meeting, where the top leadership is believed to have discussed issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached the Parliament, as Home Minister Amit Shah is set to make big announcement on Kashmir issue. 

Opposition leaders are meeting ahead of Amit Shah's statement in Parliament in Ghulam Nabi Azad's room at Parliament house.

Home Minister Amit Shah will make a statement in Rajya Sabha at 11 am and then in Lok Sabha at 12 noon. 

Amit Shah has left the Prime Minister's residence as the Union Cabinet meeting ends. 

For live updates on Parliament proceedings follow: Amit Shah to make statement on Kashmir issue in Parliament at 11 AM | Live Updates

Cabinet Committee on Security meeting has begun at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. The Union Cabinet meeting will begin right after the CCS meeting ends.

PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti has summoned senior party leaders and MLAs at her residence for a meeting regarding the ongoing situation in the Valley. Meanwhile in Delhi NSA Ajit Doval is also in touch with Amit Shah at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg

Ahead of cabinet meeting at 09:30 am, Home Minister Amit Shah has reached Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence. 

As per reports, big decisions are expected from Delhi regarding Jammu and Kashmir.

The health condition of jailed Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik is totally normal, Tihar Jail Director General Sandeep Goel said on Sunday.

The clarification came in wake of concern by Malik's family over his condition. 

 Educational institutions across the Jammu region have been ordered shut from Monday till further orders.

The Jammu Deputy Commissioner has ordered all schools, colleges and academic institutions in the district to remain shut on Monday.

Similar orders have been issued by district administrations in Udhampur and Rajouri.

Cable TV services have reportedly been snapped in Srinagar. Communication services are being stopped in the state. Mobile internet is down in many parts of the state including Jammu.

In light of the recent development with respect to house arrest of prominent political leaders Jammu University has officially said that it will remain closed on Monday (August 5). The University said that all exams have been postponed and fresh dates will be announced later on.

Authorities have already ordered closure of schools and colleges as a precautionary measure.

Soon after Omar Abdullah took to twitter to make information about his house arrest public, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor tweeted his support.

"You are not alone @OmarAbdullah. Every Indian democrat will stand with the decent mainstream leaders in Kashmir as you face up to whatever the government has in store for our country. Parliament is still in session & our voices will not be stilled. @INCIndia" read his tweet.

"I’m especially concerned about the people living in the Pir Panchal & Chenab Valley regions. These areas have been very susceptible to attempts at communal violence. I hope the Govt has taken adequate precautions to ensure no communal trouble breaks out," said Omar Abdullah in his tweet.

Former Jammu & Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah has continued tweeting after his very first one about the house arrest. In his tweets, he has repeatedly appealed to people of Jammu and Kashmir to not take law in to their hands.

Mobile internet services in some parts of Jammu and Kashmir has been stopped. Reports of absolute confusion on ground are doing rounds. Landline and broadband services are reportedly operating. However, further crackdown is expected.

President of People's Conference Sajad Lone tweeted that he has be detained

Jammu & Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik has called an emergency meeting a few minutes ago. He is in a huddle with Director-General of Police, Inspector General of Police and Chief Secretary.

Yoga guru Ramdev on Sunday demanded the withdrawal of Article 370 of the Constitution, which accords special status to Jammu and Kashmir, saying there should be "one Constitution, one rule in the country".

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National Conference (NC) and People's Democratic Party joined forces in what they called was 'defence of the autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir'. An all-party meeting took place, first at the residence of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti and then the at Farooq Abdullah's residence. Representatives of large number of regional political parties were present. Farooq Abdullah addressed a joint press conference with Mehbooba Mufti sitting beside him.

Meanwhile, the government continued to appeal to tourists in Jammu Kashmir to leave the state. Police asked hotel owners in the valley to ensure that all rooms are vacant by Monday. The government even said that if a tourist is not able to return home due to financial difficulties, the expense will be borne by the government.

Earlier on Sunday, cricketer Irfan Pathan was among 100 cricketers, who were asked to leave the state due to security concerns.