Article 370: PM Narendra Modi likely to address nation today
What's the story
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to address the nation on Thursday, to explain his government's move of removing special status of Jammu and Kashmir, and splitting the state into two Union Territories. Earlier this week, Union Home Minister Amit Shah moved a proposal to scrap Article 370 in the Rajya Sabha. The J&K Reorganisation Bill has been passed in both houses. Here's more.
What happened
Backstory: Special status gone, J&K is now a Union Territory
Article 370 bestowed a special status on J&K and allowed its citizens to live under a separate set of laws. Doing away with this contentious articles was one of the core ideologies of BJP. About the proposal, Shah said it will keep a check on terrorism and ensure the state's development. J&K was made a UT with legislature, and Ladakh a UT without legislature.
Do you know?
PM Modi had addressed the nation in March
The last time PM Modi addressed the nation was on March 27 to reveal that India demonstrated anti-satellite missile (A-Sat) capability by shooting a live satellite. He will also address the nation on August 15, Independence Day, from Red Fort.
Twitter Post
Interestingly, AIR deleted tweet about PM Modi's address
All India Radio has deleted its tweet about the address of PM Narendra Modi to the nation through its platform, today. pic.twitter.com/H5cvJ1Tf9i
— ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2019
Tweets
After historic Bill was passed, PM Modi promised "new dawn"
Notably, after the Bill was passed, PM Modi put out a series of tweets. He saluted "sisters and brothers of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh for their courage and resilience". He added that for years, "vested interests" used emotional blackmail but never cared about the empowerment of the residents. "J&K is now free from their shackles. A new dawn, better tomorrow awaits!" he wrote.
Twitter Post
Further, PM Modi also appreciated Amit "Bhai's" commitment and diligence
Our Home Minister @AmitShah Ji has been continuously working towards ensuring a better life for the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. His commitment and diligence is clearly visible in the passage of these Bills. I would like to specially congratulate Amit Bhai! @HMOIndia
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 6, 2019
Support
AAP, BSP, BJD supported move, Congress opposed it
To note, BJP got the support of unlikely allies in this decision. BSP, BJD, and AAP, who fought against the saffron party in Lok Sabha polls, supported the move saying it was in the national interest. Similarly, AIADMK, SAD, and Shiv Sena, also supported the Bill. Congress, on the other hand, opposed it staunchly, saying no government can change the status of J&K.
Dissent
However, not everyone in Congress is on the same page
Congress' official stand may have been to oppose the government, but not everyone within party ranks believes so. Leaders like Bhubaneswar Kalita, Jaiveer Shergill, Deepender Hooda, Janardan Dwivedi, and Jyotiraditya Scindia, have lent their support to the move. The party is learned to have called a bigger meeting on Friday to strategize its stand on the issue moving forward.