New Delhi, August 5: Rajya Sabha on Monday passed a bill for bifurcating Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories. Now, Jammu and Kashmir will be a union territory with a legislature, while Ladakh will be a separate union territory without legislature. Responding to a question of why Jammu and Kashmir is declared a Union Territory, Union Home Minister Amit Shah clarified that the state will get full statehood once normalcy arrives.

"Several MPs have asked how long will Jammu and Kashmir remain a Union Territory. I want to assure them when the situation gets normal and the right time comes, we're ready to make Jammu and Kashmir a state again. It may take a little longer, but it will become a state once again, one day," Shah said. The Home Minister also said Article 370 is not linked to the state's accession to India. Jammu and Kashmir Lose Privileges Under Article 370, Article 35A: What Does it Mean For Kashmiris and Other Indians?

"Maharaja Hari Singh, ruler of the then princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, on 26 October 1947 signed the Instrument of Accession joining India, while Article 370 was included in the Indian Constitution in 1949. How is Article 370 linked to Jammu and Kashmir's accession to India?" Shah said. The Home Minister lashed out at the Opposition for "misleading" people of Jammu and Kashmir over Article 370 and Article 35A.

"You stand here in Parliament and say bloodshed will happen in Kashmir...What message are you sending to the valley? You want them to continue living in the 18th-century system. Don't ppl there have the right to live in the 21st century? Those who provoke have kids studying in London and the US," Shah said. Jammu and Kashmir Order 2019: Read Full Text of Modi Government's Notification on Article 370 And Article 35A.

Amit Shah said that Article 370 led to the development of anger in youth which enabled Pakistan to fuel terrorism in the state. "More than 40000 people have been killed, our policy might be wrong, but it was Congress's policy which has been going on and so many people have been killed," he said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 05, 2019 06:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).