Union Home Minister Amit Shah today moved historic resolutions in the Parliament to revoke Article 370, which provides special constitutional status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. He also moved a resolution for the reorganisation of the state into two separate Union Territories. After the passage of the resolution, Jammu and Kashmir will no longer be a separate state. Rather, Kashmir and Jammu division will become a separate Union Territory with a legislature, while Ladakh will be a Union territory without legislature.  

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With the reorganisation of current Jammu and Kashmir into two separate Union Territories, the total number of states in the country will come to 28. Currently, there are 29 states in the country. The number of Union Territories will rise.. 

On the division of Jammu and Kashmir, the 'Statement of Objects and Reasons' said, "The Ladakh Division of the State of Jammu and Kashmir has a large area but it sparsely populated with a very difficult terrain. There has been a long pending demand of people of the Ladakh, to give it the status of a Union Territory to enable them to realise their aspirations. The Union territory of Ladakh will be without Legislature. 

"Further, keeping in view the prevailing internal security situation, fuelled by cross border terrorism in the existing State of Jammu and Kashmir, a separate Union Territory for Jammu and Kashmir is being created, The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be with legislature."

 

 

Shah also moved a resolution revoking sections of Article 370 (except section 1) of the Constitution that provided special constitutional status to the state.

During the discussion, Shah said, "Under the umbrella of Article 370 three families looted Jammu and Kashmir for years. Leader of Opposition said Article 370 connected Jammu and Kashmir to India, it is not true. Maharaja Hari Singh signed Jammu and Kashmir Instrument of Accession on 27 Oct 1947, Article 370 came in 1954."