Article 370 Debate in Lok Sabha, Live News Updates: J&K Bifurcation Bill Passed

The Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation, 2019 Bill has been passed in the Lok Sabha. The legislation will divide the frontier state into two union territories -- one comprising of Jammu and Kashmir regions, and the other being Ladakh which includes the districts of Leh and Kargil.

AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi has accused the ruling BJP of breaching its "constitutional promise" in Jammu & Kashmir, despite living up to its electoral promise.

"I stand to oppose the bill. Definitely BJP has lived up to electoral promise in their manifesto, but you have not lived up to your constitutional duties. You've indulged in breach of a constitutional promise," he said while opposing the law to bifurcate J&K," he said.

"We all remember the last time PM unleashed a decision to the nation which was also initially applauded for his decisiveness,just like today and that was the disaster of demonetisation. Nation is still dealing with devastating consequences of that action," said Congress MP Shashi Tharoor in Lok Sabha.

"Kashmir’s mainstream political leaders have been jailed at secret locations. This is unconstitutional & undemocratic. It’s also short sighted and foolish because it will allow terrorists to fill the leadership vacuum created by GOI. The imprisoned leaders must be released (sic)," Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

National Conference lawmaker Hasnain Masoodi, while opposing the Centre's resolution on Article 370 dilution, said the law which gave special status to Jammu & Kashmir was enacted with the "blessing" of Jan Sangh ideologue and founder Shyama Prasad Mukherjee.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refuted his claim, asking Masoodi to either provide evidence before the House or apologise for his statement.

None except two political families will be affected by the revocation of special status under Article 370, said BJP MP from Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering.

Update by ANI:

Amit Shah, while responding to NCP MP Supriya Sule's demand to include former Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah into the debate over Article 370 dilution, said none among the J&K political leaders have been indiscriminately cracked down upon.

"Farooq Abdullah has neither been detained nor arrested. He's at his home,out of his own free will," the Home Minister said.

"When the country is celebrating, Congress is speaking in the voice of Pakistan. Pakistan government official statement said it's a dark day. Congress leaders have stated it's a dark day. What does it mean? Pak says it's a dark day and you're joining them," questioned BJP MP and Union Minister Prahlad Joshi.

The Janata Dal (United) has walked out of the Parliament as the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019 got tabled by the government in Lok Sabha.

Update by ANI:

Union Minister of State (MoS), PMO, Jitendra Singh lashed out at the Opposition for questioning the government over the "lack of consultation" with stakeholders in Jammu & Kashmir.

In an apparent reference to Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik -- the three joint resistance leaders of Kashmir -- Singh said his government will consult the 130 crore Indians rather than only speaking to "3 persons" in the Valley.

Trinamool Congress lawmaker Sudip Bandyopadhyay asked the Centre to explain why they are "behaving as if you have won a battle" in Kashmir. The Kolkata Uttar MP said the government should taken all stakeholders into confidence before taking a unilateral measure.

Congress MP Manish Tewari continued his tirade against the central government, saying that it is the first occasion in the last 70 years when a state is being converted into a union territory.

"In last 70 years, several times we saw demands that union territories be converted into states but this is probably the first time in history that a state has been converted into union territory. There cannot be a bigger blow to federal structure than this," he said.

The DMK has asked the Centre to explain where are former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, who were arrested and taken to an undisclosed location.

"Mr Farooq Abdullah, a member of this House is missing. He is arrested. We have no intimation. You as a Speaker should protect the members. You should be neutral," said DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran, calling it an "undeclared emergency".

Responding to Congress MP Manish Tewari's assertion that India's first PM Jawaharlal Nehru ensured Jammu & Kashmir's smooth ascension into India, Union Home Minister Amit Shah responded saying that "Pandit Nehru is responsible for Kashmir's crisis."