Supreme Court verdict on Article 370 ‘historic’:Amit Shah
The News Freedom
New Delhi, December 11
The Rajya Sabha on Monday passed unanimously the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 with voice vote amending key laws in the Union Territory aimed at providing “rights to those who faced injustice”. While addressing the Rajya Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the Supreme Court’s verdict upholding the abrogation of Article 370 as “historic” and a victory for the 130 crore people of India.
“Article 370 and 35A harmed not only Kashmir, but also the dignity of India. This was not just about the people of Kashmir, it was about all of us,” Shah said. He emphasised the Supreme Court’s affirmation that Article 370 was a temporary provision, questioning those who uphold the Nehruvian philosophy. “If Article 370 was so important, why did Nehru himself use the term ‘temporary’ in relation to it?” he asked. “Everyone who claims it’s permanent insults the Constitution,” the Home Minister said.
LIVE: Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah speaks in the Rajya Sabha. https://t.co/7UhhverLIt
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Shah highlighted the tragic loss of 42,000 lives in Kashmir, asserting that the issue transcended religious identity. “This wasn’t about Hindus or Muslims,” he stated, pointing to the larger Muslim populations in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. “It was also not a border issue, as Gujarat shares a border with Pakistan. Separatism flourished in J&K because Article 370 enabled and encouraged it,” the Home Minister said.
Amit Shah further affirmed India’s claim over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. “24 seats have been reserved in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir,” he stated. “I want to reiterate, Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir is ours and no one can take it from us,” he said.