‘Article 370 Is The Root Of Terrorism’: Amit Shah Replies In Rajya Sabha, Pays Tribute To Shyama Prasad Mukherjee

Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday evening (5 August) began his reply inside the Rajya Sabha after passing a resolution scrapping the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir via Article 370 earlier in the day.

Shah while speaking in the upper house paid his tribute to Jan Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mukherjee who lost his life while fighting for full integration of Jammu and Kashmir into India.

He added that abrogation of Article 370 will end blood shed in the state and asked who is responsible for thousands of lives lost in Kashmir. After calling Article 370 the root cause of corruption, Shah alleged that this controversial act was also the root of massive corruption in the state. Anti-corruption agencies are not allowed inside Kashmir due to Article 370.

He added that the article created a monopolistic situation in the state which led to disproportionate benefits for a few families. He stated that the presence of the article has denied RTE benefits for students in Jammu and Kashmir.

He also slammed the assertion of religious politics and stressed that the region belongs to everyone including Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists.

While slamming those predicting bloodshed in the valley, Shah asked as to what message it sends to the people in the valley. He questioned the critics of the order on Article 370 whether they wish to continue forcing J&K’s citizens to live in the 18th century.

“Those who provoke have kids studying in London and US”, alleged Shah.