Article 370 revoked: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat welcomes scrapping of J&K's special status, terms move 'bold', 'historic'

New Delhi: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday welcomed Parliament’s approval for revoking provisions of Article 370 and a bill for bifurcating the state into Union territories, terming it a “bold” and “historic” decision. [caption id=“attachment_5221431” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File image of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. PTI[/caption] In a statement posted on the Twitter handle of the RSS, Bhagwat and his deputy, Suresh Joshi said this move will prove beneficial for Jammu and Kashmir residents as they will get opportunities of growth and development. “The scrapping of Article 370 and reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir is a bold and historic decision by the central government. We welcome it and appreciate it,” the statement said. It said that the intention of the makers of the Constitution was to apply it to all states equally which has been fulfilled by the Union government. “It is a moment to rejoice for Jammu and Kashmir residents as they will now get equal growth and development opportunities as other regions. Every citizen should appreciate this step and rise above political rivalries,” the RSS said. A day after the Rajya Sabha passed it, the Lok Sabha on Tuesday too 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 the 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.