March 01
The government on Thursday gave its nod to the promulgation of an ordinance for giving reservation benefits to SCs and STs in Jammu Kashmir by amending a clause of the contentious Article 370, which gives special status to the state.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said.
Prominent journalists and citizens took to social media and said that the amendment was a clear violation of Artcile 370.
Muzammil Jaleel, a prominent journalist said that the Government has made it intent clear. “They cannot make any amendments till they get nod from a local elected Government,” he said. Pertinently, there is no elected Government in place in Jammu Kashmir.
Mujtaba, another social media user said that Government has made it clear, today they amended a small clause, tomorrow they will amend it further and then, they might just abrogate it. He said it is time for regional parties to step up rather than maintaining that it is a ‘rumour.’
Meanwhile Restrictions have been imposed in major towns and cities across the Kashmir valley.
“It will serve the purpose of application of relevant provisions of the Constitution of India, as amended through the Constitution (Seventy Seventh Amendment) Act, 1995 and Constitution (One Hundred and third Amendment) Act, 2019 for Jammu and Kashmir, by issuing the Constitution (Application to Jammu Kashmir) Amendment Order, 2019 by the President under clause (1) of Article 370,” he said.
The ordinance will have to be promulgated by the President.
“Experts believe that such amendments in Presidential order 1954 done without recommendation of J&K state legislature is unconstitutional and violates Article 370.” Omar Abdullah Retweeted.
Most of the Politicians including the recent joinee Shah Faesal remained confused as to what was happening. “It is too early to make comments,” he had said.