Amit Shah introduces bills on Jammu and Kashmir in Rajya Sabha, slams Opposition on Article 370

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday introduced the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha. Shah introduced both the bills for passage in the Rajya Sabha as they were passed by the Lok Sabha on December 6. Shah mentioned the Supreme Court’s decision in the Rajya Sabha. “I welcome the decision of the Supreme Court to uphold the decision of abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution. He said that after the abrogation of Article 370, the bond of unity has strengthened, the integrity of Jammu and Kashmir with India has strengthened,” Shah said. Slamming the opposition parties for their stand against the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, Shah said, “we should understand the reality. 42 thousand people were killed, why were they killed, the question is not of Hindu Muslim. There are more Muslims than these in Gujarat. There are more Muslims in Uttar Pradesh than in Kashmir. Bihar and Assam have more Muslims than Kashmir. In such a situation, the question is why separatism and terrorism did not happen there.” “Today, the decision (by Supreme Court on Article 370) has also come. Still, they (Congress) say that they don’t accept this and that Article 370 was abrogated wrongfully. I can’t explain to them what is the reality…Article 370 boosted separatism and separatism led to the rise of terrorism. One wrong decision can be taken but when history and time prove that the decision is wrong, one should come back towards the interest of the nation. I still say, come back otherwise there won’t remain even how many are left now (MPs elected to the House). If you want to stick to this decision even today, public is watching - there will be face off in 2024 and PM Modi will become the PM for the third time,” he added. Shah said that there are many such states like Rajasthan and Gujarat which also share their border with Pakistan but do not suffer from terrorism like Jammu and Kashmir. He said that this is because Article 370 gave impetus to separatism and terrorism arose due to separatism. “These people don’t understand at all. A wrong decision was taken. It can happen to any big man. Can be from any party. But when history and society prove it, then it should come back in the interest of the country. I still say this, come back, otherwise as many as are left will not survive,” the Union Home Minister said. Amit Shah mentioned the decision of the Supreme Court to hold elections in Jammu and Kashmir. “The government has already announced that it is ready to conduct elections in Jammu and Kashmir. I myself have said this in the House. It has been said in this House, it has been said in the Lok Sabha. We will give back the statehood. I have also said that we will give back the statehood at the appropriate time. In such a situation, how is this victory of the opposition? The opposition is looking for victory even in severe defeat. Someone should learn from you the art of finding victory in severe defeat,” Shah said. Amit Shah stated that the Union Government has set aside 24 seats in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir because the territory is part of India during his remarks on the two legislation pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir. “Earlier there were 37 seats in Jammu, now after the new delimitation commission, there are 43 seats. Earlier there were 46 sears in Kashmir, now there are 47 and in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK), 24 seats have been reserved since we PoK is ours,” the Union Home Minister said. To alter the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act of 2019, there is a bill called the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023. The Second Schedule of the 1950 Act was amended by the 2019 Act, which stipulated that the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly will have 83 seats. The present Bill proposal seeks to increase the overall number of seats to ninety. It also adds a clause designating nine seats for Scheduled Tribes and seven seats for Scheduled Castes. In addition, the Bill states that the Lieutenant Governor may designate a maximum of two individuals from the community of Kashmiri migrants to the Legislative Assembly.