PDP MLAs’ create a ruckus in Parliament on Article 370 repeal

As soon as Union Home Minister Amit Shah moved the resolution for the scrapping of Article 370 in Rajya Sabha, PDP MLAs Nazir Ahmad Laway and MM Fayaz registered their strong opposition and tried to tear a copy of the Indian Constitution. Article 370 bestowed special status to the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

Copy of the Indian Constitution torn in Rajya Sabha today by PDP MP Mir Mohammad Fayaz. Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu directed him to leave the House after this incident. pic.twitter.com/Mq1p9Nuovu

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2019

Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkiah Naidu asked the two to leave the Upper House after they attempted to tear up the constitution. Meanwhile, Fayaz also tore his kurta in protest and came out of the Parliament shouting slogans against the move.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti has called the move ‘catastrophic’ and the ‘darkest day in Indian democracy.’

PDP's RS MPs Nazir Ahmad Laway&MM Fayaz protest in Parliament premises after resolution revoking Article 370 from J&K moved by HM in Rajya Sabha; The 2 PDP MPs were asked to go out of the House after they attempted to tear the constitution. MM Fayaz also tore his kurta in protest pic.twitter.com/BtalUZMNCo

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2019

The Union Government on Monday revoked Art 370 of the Constutution that grants special status to the state. It also proposed to bifurcate the state into two Union Territories -- J&K with a legislature and Ladakh without an assembly. The government’s decision came after an early morning Cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister’s residence.

Jammu and Kashmir has been tense with the “unprecedented security and precautionary steps in the state” imposed by the centre last week. Restrictions were also put on state leaders ahead of today’s move.

Under Article 370, the state of Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed complete autonomy and the state legislature was free to draft its own laws except for communications, defence, finance, and foreign affairs. Article 35A, which was also revoked today, had provisions which prohibited non-state J and K citizens from purchasing land in the state.

Photo Courtesy: Shemin Joy