BJP stirs the Jammu and Kashmir pot

In fact, Amit Shah began his stint in the Home Ministry with a firm focus on Jammu and Kashmir as Governor Satya Pal Malik was one of the first to meet him. Amit Shah was on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir last week and held comprehensive security review meetings. Later, he discussed the extension of President’s rule in the state in the Rajya Sabha which was met with opposition. The Congress slammed the move, saying that extending the President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir would only alienate people of the state further. After the Lok Sabha gave its nod to extend President’s Rule in Jammu and Kashmir for another six months beginning July 3 by approving a statutory resolution, the same will be discussed in Rajya Sabha today.

Another bill to be discussed in Rajya Sabha today is the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2019. On Friday, the Lok Sabha cleared the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2019, to replace an ordinance issued by the previous government. The amendment will extend the benefits of reservation to people living along the international border in the state.

While discussing the two provisions in Rajya Sabha on Friday, Amit Shah asserted that the Modi government has ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards terrorism and its ideology is to ensure the protection of borders and make the country free of terrorism.
Suggesting that only a strong “medicine” could stop terrorism, Amit Shah said the government at the same time does not want to create an atmosphere of fear.

However, it will not be easy for the BJP to get both the resolutions passed as numbers in the Upper house elude it. What will happen today?