Amit Shah on Lok Sabha: Interior Minister emphasized J&K would get statehood
New Delhi:
Jammu and Kashmir will receive statehood “at the appropriate time,” Interior Minister Amit Shah said on Saturday during a discussion in Lok Sabha on the J&K reorganization (amendment) bill, 2021.
Responding to claims that passing an amendment to the 2019 bill, which divided the old state into two union territories after Article 370 was withdrawn, meant the center did not intend to restore statehood, a furious Mr. the bill.
“Many MPs said that bringing the amendment means that J&K will not get status. I am testing the bill, I brought it. I have clarified the intentions. Nowhere is it written that Jammu and Kashmir will not get status. Where is he drawing this? Conclusion from? “Asked Mr. Shah to the opposition.
“I have said it in this House and I say it again: This bill has nothing to do with the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir. The statehood will be granted … at the appropriate time,” Shah stressed.
The interior minister also criticized the opposition, though he paid particular attention to Congress, for seeking answers from the Narendra Modi government on the promises made when J & K’s special status was withdrawn, but they did not provide any.
“They asked us what we did with the promises made during the repeal of Article 370. It has been 17 months since … and you are demanding an account? Did you account for what you did for 70 years? Had it worked well. “You don’t need to ask us,” Mr. Shah raged.
“I will account for everything. But those who had the opportunity to govern for generations must look inward if they are in a position to demand an account,” he added.
In a controversial move that made international news, the center, on August 5, 2019, revoked the special status granted to J&K under Article 370 and split into two union territories.
The measure was preceded and followed by a strict security blanket, which included the suspension for months of mobile and Internet services and the deployment of thousands of troops.
It also included the arrest of dozens of mainstream political leaders, including former Chief Ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, all of whom were subsequently indicted under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and recently released late last year.
Multiple petitions, including one from the National Conference led by Farooq and Omar Abdullah, have been filed with the Supreme Court requesting a review of the center’s decision on Article 370.
In July last year, Farooq Abdullah said: “We will fight for our rights … within democratic means.”
.
