After LS fireworks, J&K resolution cleared

New Delhi: Parliament on Tuesday approved a resolution abrogating special status to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution and a bill for splitting the state into two Union Territories.

The resolution was adopted by Lok Sabha with 351 members voting in its support and 72 against it, while one member abstained.

The bill to create two UTs -Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh - was passed by 370 votes in favour and 70 against.

PM Modi hailed the passage of bills on Jammu and Kashmir in Parliament as a "momentous occasion" in parliamentary democracy and said a new dawn awaits the state which is now free from the "shackles" of vested interest groups.

The resolution and the bill were approved by Rajya Sabha on Monday.

Replying to the debate on the resolution for abrogating some provisions of Article 370 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill 2019, Home Minister Amit Shah said that India will continue to claim the territories of Jammu and Kashmir under the occupation of Pakistan and ruled out any talks with separatist amalgam Hurriyat Conference.

Shah also said the Modi government will have no hesitation in restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir when normalcy returns.

Defending the government's action to put restrictions in Kashmir Valley in the last two days, the home minister said the law and order there has not deteriorated and whatever actions have been taken were all precautionary.

The opposition in Lok Sabha on Tuesday accused the government of not consulting "stakeholders" before deciding on abrogating provisions of Article 370 which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir, a charge rejected by treasury benches which said Parliament represents the will of the people.

Bengal Chief Minister on Tuesday said the Centre should have consulted all political parties before deciding to scrap Constitutional provisions that accorded special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Initiating the debate on the motions, Manish Tewari tried to trace the origins of Article 370 and said the then Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir chose to accede with India.

T R Baalu (DMK) said the government should have got the resolution and the bill passed as it has a "brute" majority.

After the resolution and the bill were adopted, Speaker Om Birla adjourned Lok Sabha sine die.