As Shah moved the resolution in the Rajya Sabha that Article 370 -- which allowed Jammu and Kashmir to have its own Constitution and prohibited outsiders from buying land and property in the state -- will no longer be applicable, there were also fears that the government's decisions would change the demographic profile. As per the proposed bill, the union territory in Ladakh will have no legislature like Chandigarh. The other union territory of Jammu and Kashmir will have a legislature like Delhi and Puducherry, where key subjects like law and order are with the Centre.
Scrapping Article 370 is one of the most historic and bold decisions on Jammu and Kashmir taken by the Indian government so far, which is nothing less than a political upswing and will be discussed and debated by many for the days to come. So, here's all you need to know about the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and how does it changes the laws, proceedings and sentiments in the valley:
What did the government do in Parliament?
The government on Monday moved a resolution to effectively revoke Article 370, which gives special powers to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The government also introduced a Bill to divide the state into two Union territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh.
Is Jammu and Kashmir no longer a state?
Not yet! Rajya Sabha has passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill which bifurcates the state into two Union territories (UTs) - Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The Lok Sabha, where the BJP has a big majority, will easily pass the Bill, which will then go to the President for his assent. Once the President signs the Bill and the government issues a notification, Jammu and Kashmir will no longer be a state.
What happens next?
Once the resolution is passed by President and notified by the Government of India -
a) Jammu and Kashmir will be officially reorganised as two UTs - Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh
b) Jammu and Kashmir will have a legislature like Delhi and Puducherry, where key subjects like law and order are with the Centre
c) Ladakh will have no legislature like Chandigarh
d) The Governor of Jammu and Kashmir will now become a Lieutenant Governor.
Is Article 370 permanently scrapped?
No! For now, the government has just used a clause within Article 370 to make the provisions of the article inoperative.
Article 370 still stays as part of the Indian Constitution and cannot be repealed or erased without a constitutional amendment in accordance with Article 368. Section 3 of Article 370 empowers the President to declare the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under the Article inoperative anytime.
President Ram Nath Kovind has signed the official notification declaring provisions of Article 370 inoperative.
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What will change in Jammu and Kashmir now?
It is also likely that corporates and individuals will be able to buy land in Jammu and Kashmir. Non-Kashmiris might now get jobs in Kashmir. A process of demographic change might begin, and progress over the coming decades.
Who are against scrapping of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir?
Home Minister Amit Shah's announcement evoked strong protests from various opposition parties including various leaders of Congress, TMC, DMK, NCP and Left raising slogans against the notion in the Rajya Sabha.
Some opposition parties termed the scrapping of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and its bifurcation into two union territories as a 'black day' in history of Indian politics. While senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the state's head, considered as India's crown, has been chopped off and its identity was removed, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O'Brien said that the Centre was committing procedural harakiri.
Here are some other reactions from political opponents of the BJP on scrapping of Article 370:
What will change post President's approval and government's notification of scrapping Article 370?
a) UTs have become states earlier, but this will be for the first time that a state has been converted into a UT.
b) Instead of 29, India will now have 28 states.
c) Kashmir will no longer have a Governor, and will rather have a Lieutenant Governor like in Delhi or Puducherry.