Kashmir: Amit Shah proposes to remove Article 370
Putting an end to suspense related to Jammu and Kashmir, Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday proposed to remove the Article 370 of Indian Constitution, which grants special status to the northernmost state, in Rajya Sabha. As Shah spoke in the Upper House, Opposition parties erupted in protests. Before his speech, Shah asked parties to hear him out. Here's what happened.
Background: Kashmir slipped into crisis after Army spoke about threat
The current crisis in Kashmir started after the Indian Army on Friday spoke about a terror threat, from Pakistani army-backed terrorists. They planned to disrupt peace, Army said. Soon, the state government asked Amarnath Yatris and tourists to return home. The notification, along with heavy deployment of forces in the valley, led to speculations that BJP at Centre wants to abrogate Articles 370 and 35A.
In midnight knock, government put politicians under house arrest
Notably, late on Sunday night, the government put prominent politicians of J&K, like Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, and Sajjad Lone, under house arrest. Section 144 of CrPC was also imposed in certain parts of the valley, restricting public movement and barring gatherings. Schools and colleges were ordered to remain shut in Kashmir until further notice. Internet services and telephone lines were also snapped.
Earlier, PM Modi chaired a Cabinet meeting at his residence
Amid the turmoil, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a Cabinet meeting at his Delhi residence. Before the meeting, a short meet of the Cabinet Committee on Security was also held. The CCS meeting was attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. To recall, Shah met NSA Ajit Doval on Sunday.
Under 370, Centre can't apply laws unilaterally
To note, Article 370 is drafted in Amendment of the Constitution section, in Part XXI, under Temporary and Transitional Provisions. Under Article 370, the Centre needs permission from the state government before applying laws in J&K, barring defense, foreign affairs, finance, and communications. Centre can't declare a financial emergency there either.
You can read the entire order here
Ghulam Nabi Azad said war-like situation in Kashmir
In the House, Chairman Venkaiah Naidu urged Opposition parties to give Shah a chance to speak. On the current situation in Kashmir, Congress' Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "Entire valley is under curfew, political leaders including three former chief ministers are under house arrest. There is a war-like situation in the state, so this should be discussed on priority."
BJP keeps its five-decade old promise
Scrapping Article 370 has been one of the most prominent ideologies of BJP and its parent wing RSS. In the run-up for 2019 elections, when BJP released its manifesto, the top brass of the saffron party had maintained that Article 370 was suggested as a temporary solution. The BJP has been claiming that other parties didn't remove it for their "political benefits".
