New Delhi: Moving resolution on Kashmir in Rajya Sabha, Home minister Amit Shah on Monday said that he was sure that abrogation of Article 370 would end the "bloody war" in Kashmir.
"I want to clear in front of the House that due to removal Article 370 there will be an end to long bloodshed in Kashmir. While 370 has damaged Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, 35A has increased corruption over the years," Shah said, adding that Article 370 is anti-women, is the root cause of terrorism and is responsible for poverty in the Valley.
Allaying opposition fears of all hell breaking loose after the move, Shah replying, "nothing will happen" and it won't be allowed to turn into another battle torn Kosovo. "It was heaven on earth and will remain so," he said replying to the debate on the resolution and the bill which were taken up together.
He said full statehood will be restored to Jammu and Kashmir at "appropriate time" and after "normalcy" returns.
The Bill provides for bifurcation of the state into two union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. "Article 370 is biggest hurdle to normalcy in the state," he said, adding his government was committed to making Jammu and Kashmir the most developed state in the country.
According to the resolution moved by the Home minister, Article 370 ceases to be operative from Monday itself. "The president on the recommendation of Parliament is pleased to declare as from 5th of August 2019, all clauses of the said Article 370 shall cease to be operative... ," the resolution stated.
Shah also moved the resolution on Kashmir in the Lok Sabha but had to face opposition parties' walkout.
He assured the opposition members that he would move the bill and the resolution for consideration of the House on Tuesday and was only seeking the permission of the House for the same now.
"I will move the bill for consideration and passage tomorrow (Tuesday). The opposition can have detailed discussion on the same. I am ready to give the reply," he told the House, amid protests by opposition members and thumping of desks by treasury benches.
Leader of Congress party in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the Home Minister Amit Shah came in the House, "broke the country and ran away". "The government has made the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir a prison house,"Chowdhury alleged. "This is not a bill," he added.
Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM) said members have right to speak on the resolution but the Chair was not allowing it. "What is the use of the rule book when you are favouring the ruling party," Qwaisi asked.
However, the mood was triumphant in the BJP quarters. Everything had fallen into place for the party that has 300-plus seats in the Lok Sabha and managed the arithmetic efficiently in the Rajya Sabha too.
BJP leaders hailed the move and were buoyed by support from some regional parties like BSP, BJD, TRS and AIADMK, which extended full support to the resolution and the bill. NDA constituent JD(U) walked out.
The government got support from Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, who said he hoped it would bring "peace and development" in the state.
The government's move on Article 370, said senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley, is a monumental decision towards national integration. His party colleague Ram Madhav also hailed the decision.
"What a glorious day. Finally the martyrdom of thousands starting with Dr Shyam Prasad Mukherjee for complete integration of J&K into Indian Union is being honoured and the seven decade old demand of the entire nation being realised in front of our eyes; in our lifetime...," he tweeted.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said the government's decisions on Jammu and Kashmir are "brave" and "very necessary" for the interest of the country, including Jammu and Kashmir.
Celebrations broke out the Shiv Sena headquarters in Mumbai's Dadar area. Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray dubbing it as a "moment of pride" and a "historic day" for the country.
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