New Delhi, August 5: Union Home Minister Amit Shah made a historic announcement in the Rajya Sabha today, the decision to scrap Article 370, which grants special status to people of Jammu and Kashmir was made. Reactions have been pouring in from all parts of the country. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has congratulated the Narendra Modi led BJP government on the courageous step. Jammu and Kashmir Lose Privileges Under Article 370, Article 35A: What Does it Mean For Kashmiris and Other Indians?

This announcement thus bifurcates Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories. While Jammu and Kashmir will now be a Union Territory with a legislative assembly, Ladakh will be a UT without one. President Ram Nath Kovind also passed an order abolishing Article 35A.PM Narendra Modi Likely to Address Nation on August 7.

According to an ANI tweet, RSS said, "This was very essential for the interest of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as the entire country. Rising from selfish motives and political differences, everyone should welcome and support this move."

Check ANI tweet:

Following the announcement, PDP's Mehbooba Mufti called it 'the darkest day in Indian democracy', while BJP MP Rajyavardhan Rathore said that it is the best homage to all the soldiers martyred in Kashmir. Former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said "historical wrong has been undone today" by scrapping Article 370.

Watch Video:

The Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal also supported the bifurcation of the state into two union territories, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Following the announcement made, Narendra Modi is likely to address the nation on August 7.

The removal of this part of the constitution ends special status for Kashmir, which was key to its accession to India in 1947. The Union Cabinet met today, following the political turmoil and rising tension in Kashmir after Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah was placed under house arrest.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 05, 2019 02:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).