Govt Decides to Repeal Articles 370 and 35A, J&K and Ladakh to be Separate Union Territories

Govt Decides to Repeal Articles 370 and 35A, J&K and Ladakh to be Separate Union Territories

 What is Article 370.?

Article 370 of the Constitution of India.

Article 370 of the Indian constitution is an article that gives special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The article is drafted in Part XXI of the Constitution: Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions.

What is Article 370 of Kashmir?

Article 370 specifies that except for defense, foreign affairs, communications and matters specified in the Instrument of Accession of Jammu and Kashmir, the Parliament needs the state government's ratification for all other laws.

What is Article 370 and 35a?

Article 35A allows the Jammu and Kashmir legislature to define permanent residents of the state. It was inserted through the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954, which was issued by President Rajendra Prasad under Article 370, on the the advice of the Nehru-led Union Government.)

Govt Decides to Repeal Articles 370 and 35A, J&K and Ladakh to be Separate Union Territories

In an announcement with massive repercussions for Jammu and Kashmir, Home Minister Amit Shah has announced in Rajya Sabha that the government has decided to repeal Article 370 of the Constitution which grants special status to J&K. The government has also decided to bifurcate the state into two Union territories – Jammu and Kashmir, which will have a legislature, and Ladakh, which will be without a legislature.

Shah’s announcement was immediately followed by a massive uproar in the Upper House with opposition MPs protesting in the Well of the House. Back in the Valley, three of Jammu and Kashmir's most prominent politicians — Mehbooba Mufti, Omar Abdullah, and Sajjad Lone are under house arrest amid a massive security-built up in the state. Internet services and mobile services have been suspended in several places and all public gatherings are banned in Srinagar district as section 144 was imposed from midnight.