J&K's Article 370 to go, Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP backs Modi government's momentous integration move

Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday proposed a bill in the Rajya Sabha to revoke Article 370 that gives way to Article 35 A which grants special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. As the discussions went on in the upper house, Arvind Kejriwal backed the bill and said that the AAP hopes that the step will bring peace and development in the state. 

In what is being dubbed as the most important decision by the Narendra Modi led Central government, Home Minister Amit Shah proposed revocation of Article 370 in the upper house of the Parliament amid massive ruckus by the Opposition, however, he said that he will respond on all matters related to Kashmir. Arvind Kejriwal supporting a bill by BJP comes as a major development as his AAP has been a fierce rival of the BJP. Moreover, Mayawati's BSP also supported the bill. Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSRCP and Naveen Patnaik's BJD also backed the bill in the Upper House on Monday. 

What is Article 35 A?

Incorporated in the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential order, Article 35 A defines the permanent residents of the state of Jammu and Kashmir by giving special rights and privileges to the state subjects. It stems from Article 370 that gives autonomous right to Jammu and Kashmir. 

The article is also referred to as Permanent Residents Law and bars woman belonging to the state from any property rights if she marries a person from outside the state. Even the children of such women do not get the right as they do not have any succession rights over the property.

READ: J&K: Article 370 to go, Arun Jaitley says 'separate status led to separatism' & hails the monumental decision

What is Article 370?

It exempts Jammu and Kashmir from following the Indian Constitution except for Article 1 and itself. It also restricts Parliament's legislative powers in Jammu and Kashmir. It was passed in the Constituent Assembly on May 27, 1949 and is the first article of Part XXI of the Indian Constitution. The heading of this part is ‘Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions’.

Pakistan's plan to attack Kashmir

In a joint press brief by Chinar Corps Commander Lt General KJS Dhillon and J&K DGP Dilbag Singh in Srinagar on Friday revealed that they had intelligence inputs that there were attempts of attacks on Amarnath Yatra by Pakistan and that they had recovered IEDs and US made Sniper rifle in the route of the Amarnath Yatra. Following the revelation, JK administration issues advisory to tourists and yatris and asks them to cut short their visit in view of 'safety and security of the yatris' and leave state of Jammu & Kashmir in view of terror threats after army's press conference. The Centre had in last two weeks deployed 38,000 paramilitary troops in the Kashmir valley. Sources said that it was placed in order to strengthen counter-insurgency operations and law and order in the state. 

READ: Former CMs Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti in preventive custody, Sec 144 imposed in parts of Srinagar. LIVE updates here