Scrapping of Article 370: Who said what
The BJP-led government in India has gained much support for the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019, both from political parties and netizens. Besides its allies, a number of regional parties supported the move. But it has also received some strong rebukes from the Kashmiri leaders as well as from Congress and some left-leaning parties. Here are some key quotes from the parties involved:
"Article 370 was the root of terror in Jammu and Kashmir. It is time for it to go... if it doesn't go today, we can't remove terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir."
Indian Home Minister Amit Shah
"It accurately highlighted the monumental injustices of the past and coherently presented our vision for the sisters and brothers of J&K."
Indian PM Narendra Modi praising
Amit Shah's argument
"The scrapping of Article 370 has been a part of BJP's core ideology since the days of Jan Sangh."
BJP patriarch and former
deputy PM LK Advani
"A historical wrong has been undone today. Article 35A came through the back door without following the procedure under Article 368 of the Constitution of India. It had to go."
Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley
"It is something the country has been waiting for the last 70 years. Even our manifesto mentioned the need to abrogate Article 370, so it is not something we brought out suddenly like a rabbit from a magic hat."
Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
Congress
"National integration isn't furthered by unilaterally tearing apart J&K, imprisoning elected representatives and violating our Constitution. This nation is made by its people, not plots of land. This abuse of executive power has grave implications for our national security."
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi
"This is not the Indian democracy we have cherished for more than seven decades. The assurances that successive rulers of India including those of BJP have given people & leaders of Kashmir and the international community now stand torn into shreds."
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor
"Momentarily you may think you have scored a victory, but you are wrong and history will prove you to be wrong. Future generations will realize what a grave mistake this house is making today."
Congress leader and former finance minister
P Chidambaram
Regional Indian Parties
"We have opened the way for Kashmir to become Palestine. I urge you to let go of your ego and embrace Kashmiris."
Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Manoj Jha
We support the govt on its decisions on Jammu and Kashmir. We hope this will bring peace and development in the state.
Delhi CM and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal
"Without consulting people of Jammu and Kashmir, Article 370 has been taken away. Democracy has been murdered. AIADMK is also supporting the decision which is condemnable."
DMK President MK Stalin
"It is a black day. Indian constitution has been raped by BJP govt. You didn't consult people of J&K-Ladakh. You dissolved Assembly, you don't want to hold any election. You've taken another 35,000 Army people there. You're creating another Palestine."
CPI(M) leader TK Rangarajan
"Our party gives complete support.
We want that the Bill be passed."
BSP leader Satish Chandra Mishra
"It is a dark day for Parliamentary democracy, federalism, Constitution, Rajya Sabha, and the idea of India."
Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien
Kashmiri Leaders
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti
"GOIs intention is clear & sinister. They want to change demography of the only muslim majority state in India , disempower Muslims to the extent where they become second class citizens in their own state."
"Today marks the darkest day in Indian democracy. Decision of J&K leadership to reject 2 nation theory in 1947 & align with India has backfired. Unilateral decision of GOI to scrap Article 370 is illegal & unconstitutional which will make India an occupational force in J&K."
"The decisions will have far-reaching and dangerous consequences. … A long and tough battle lies ahead. We are ready for that."
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah
Pakistan
"What they [BJP] did in Kashmir is in accordance with their ideology. They have a racist ideology."
Pakistan Prime Minister
Imran Khan
"Pakistan Army firmly stands by the Kashmiris in their just struggle to the very end. We are prepared and shall go to any extent to fulfil our obligations in this regard."
Pakistan army chief
General Qamar Javed Bajwa