New Delhi:
The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill 2019, which was passed on Monday, has drawn a wide range of emotions in both India and Pakistan. While a majority in India was in favour of scrapping Article 370 and Article 35A, there was widespread disappointment in Pakistan. Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi, however, raked up a major controversy when he asked for the mediation of USA President Donald Trump in this matter. On his official Twitter handle, Afridi wrote, "Kashmiris must be given their due rights as per #UN resolution. The rights of Freedom like all of us. Why was @UN created & why is it sleeping? The unprovoked aggression & crimes being committed in Kashmir against #Humanity must be noted. The @POTUS must play his role to mediate," Afridi said.
In response, Gautam Gambhir, the former India batsman who has never had a good relationship with Shahid Afridi, blasted him by saying the 'unprovoked aggression and crimes' were taking place in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. "@SAfridiOfficial is spot on guys. There is “unprovoked aggression”, there r “crimes against humanity”. He shud be lauded 👠for bringing this up. Only thing is he forgot to mention that all this is happening in “Pakistan Occupied Kashmir”. Don’t worry, will sort it out son!!!," Gambhir wrote.
@SAfridiOfficial is spot on guys. There is “unprovoked aggression”, there r “crimes against humanity”. He shud be lauded ðŸ‘Âfor bringing this up. Only thing is he forgot to mention that all this is happening in “Pakistan Occupied Kashmir”. Don’t worry, will sort it out son!!! pic.twitter.com/FrRpRZvHQt
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) August 5, 2019
The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019, seeking to bifurcate the state into two union territories of J-K and Ladakh, has been passed by 125 "Ayes" and 61 "No" in Rajya Sabha on Monday amid a walkout by opposition parties. One member abstained from voting. Opposition BSP, BJD, AIADMK and YSR-Congress voted in favour of the bill while Congress, DMK, Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, JDU vehemently opposed the resolution.
Moving the resolution following President Ram Nath Kovind's order abrogating Article 370, Union Home Minister Amit Shah sought the permission of the House to bring the bill, adding that the controversial provisions were responsible for poverty and lack of development in the state.
Asked how long will Jammu and Kashmir remain a Union Territory, Shah, however, said full statehood will be restored again at "appropriate time" and after "normalcy" returns in the region. Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed the Rajya Sabha that Article 370, which gave Jammu and Kashmir special rights, has been scrapped with President Kovind's assent.
Shortly afterwards, Kovind came out with a notification - The Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 2019 that will come into force immediately. The order will supersede the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954 as amended from time to time.
