Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced two significant bills in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday – the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Joint Consideration of J&K Bills
The Lok Sabha has taken up both the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill and the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill simultaneously for discussion. Initially, four hours were allocated for this crucial deliberation.
Positive Changes Highlighted by Union Minister Anurag Thakur
Union Minister Anurag Thakur noted the positive transformation in Kashmir, emphasizing the decline in stone-pelting incidents. He highlighted the widespread hoisting of the Indian flag as a symbol of improved conditions.
Congress MP Manish Tewari Questions Constitutional Validity
While discussing the amendments related to reorganisation and reservation in Jammu and Kashmir, Congress MP Manish Tewari raised concerns about the constitutionality of repealing Articles 370 and 35A. He referred to the President’s Proclamation in 2018, pointing out clauses related to the termination of specific constitutional sections.
Home Minister Amit Shah Addresses Concerns
Responding to Tewari’s concerns, Home Minister Amit Shah explained that the clause in the Proclamation was a necessary procedural step due to the dissolution of the state’s legislative assembly. Tewari countered, asserting that Article 3 focuses on territorial reorganisation, not the functioning of the state assembly.
Trinamool Congress MP Sougata Roy Seeks Clarity
Trinamool Congress MP Sougata Roy raised questions on the revocation of Articles 370 and 35A, leading to the formation of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Roy inquired about the outcomes post-repeal and expressed dissatisfaction with the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Amit Shah Defends Repeal of Articles 370 and 35A
During the discussion, Home Minister Amit Shah defended the repeal, emphasizing the need for a unified constitutional structure with one Prime Minister, one flag, and one Constitution. He responded to concerns raised by MPs, highlighting the correction of what he deemed as a previous mistake.
NCP’s Supriya Sule Calls for Pan-India Reservation Discussion
NCP (Sharad Pawar) faction MP Supriya Sule, amidst the Maratha quota agitation in Maharashtra, urged for a broader discussion on pan-India reservation. Speaking during the deliberations on the J&K amendment bills, she also paid tribute to late BJP leaders Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj for their contributions to Indian politics, emphasizing their advocacy for cooperative federalism.
