Will This Pass Judicial Review?: Twitter On Revoking Article 370

After a tense few days in the Valley where all sorts of rumors ran amok, Home Minister Amit Shah’s address in Rajya Sabya finally put all speculations to rest. While addressing the Upper House of the parliament, Shah aborgated Article 370 that grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Apart from this he also shared that the government also tabled a Bill for the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir in the parliament.

Unsurprisingly, chaos ensued in the house during his address with the Opposition calling government’s move as foul play. Social commentators, national level leaders and intellectuals too took to twitter to share their take on this move by Shah. Here’s how they reacted.

(Catch all the live updates on Jammu and Kashmir here and here)

Suspension of Civil Liberties?

Article 370 to be abrogated says @AmitShah
It IS about land. No special status. And for how long will civil liberties be suspended? Just how long? https://t.co/ppN1uMBxZU

— Harinder Baweja (@shammybaweja) August 5, 2019

Give Kashmiri’s Internet, let’s listen to their voice. After all democracy is of the people, for the people and by the people, right?

— ‏پربھا (@deepsealioness) August 5, 2019

So no one minds this blatant dictatorship anymore? Yes, #Article370 being scrapped is a good thing. But where is the say of the states leaders in this? We need to make this govt realize that they can't use this "SURPRISE" tactic with every major decision.

— Nidhi Thakur (@ChhotaRecharge) August 5, 2019

#Article370 repealed. Good move? Bad move? Time will tell. But why the curb on civil liberties? Why instill fear? Why this exclusiveness?

— Alokananda (@scrap_scribble) August 5, 2019

Many Twitter users were miffed as the Article 370 was discussed only for 1.5 hours in Parliamentt.

1.5 hours to decide the fate of #Kashmir.
If this is not a banana republic I don't know what is. #Article370 that gives #JammuKashmir special status is scrapped.

— Rohini Mohan (@rohini_mohan) August 5, 2019

Today they introduce a bill on Article 370 and give Parliament just over one hour to deliberate. Tomorrow they could do this to any other piece of legislation that changes your life.

This is outrageous. A mockery of democracy.

— Supriya Sharma (@sharmasupriya) August 5, 2019

Shame on any MP who votes in favour of legislation brought in while locking down the entire state it concerns and its politicians. Bring in a Bill, debate it, let people protest, face the consequences.

— Rukmini S (@Rukmini) August 5, 2019

Will This Stand Judicial Review?

On the other hand there many remained unclear about the legal aspect of the proposed amendment.

Will this stand judicial review? #Article370

— Abhishek Baxiابھیشیک ‏‎‎ अभिषेक (@baxiabhishek) August 5, 2019

Sounded like Shah caveated the Article 370 abrogation proposal with some partial measures to keep in place some of the article. Don’t quote me on that though; totally unable to make out what exactly he was saying once the shouting started.

— Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) August 5, 2019

The revocation of Article 370 and 35A just announced by @AmitShah ending 70 years of stated policy on the state. This seeks to withdraw the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. Legal questions persist on efficacy and validity. Parliament adjourned after mayhem.

— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) August 5, 2019

Lawyers on timeline: @AmitShah cited the consent of the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir as equal to consent of the state to change the constitution and end special status under #Article370 and propose bifurcation. Is Governor consent consent of J&K legally? Will it stand in court

— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) August 5, 2019

Art 35 gives powers to J&K Govt to give special benefits to the state’s permanent residents

Some constitutional experts argue since Art 35A stems from President’s powers under Art 370, it can’t be abrogated without hurting Art 370, which is now permanenthttps://t.co/X93p9kcJDy

— Reema Omer (@reema_omer) August 5, 2019

India's strongest legal claim to J&K is the Instrument of Accession, of which Article 370 is an outcome.

By attacking the basis of that legitimacy, Modi and Shah are attacking that credibility, just as Mao violated the 17 Point Agreement on Tibet.

Bye bye, democracy and law.

— Omair Ahmad (@OmairTAhmad) August 5, 2019

BJP Hailed for Upholding Poll Promise

Parties supporting #Article370 -
Congress, Left, SP, JDU, Muslim League

Parties with govt on #370gaya - BSP, BJD, YSRCP, TDP, AAP

Fee free to add to the list...

— Manak Gupta (@manakgupta) August 5, 2019

There were also many who hailed Shah and the current BJP government for upholding their poll promise and bringing a ‘final resolution’ to the Kashmir conflict. Shah and Modi were lauded for their brave new stance against separatists.

Union Home Min @AmitShah moves historic resolution to revoke #Article370. (There should be an informed debate. Disappointed with the opposition for creating disturbance instead of an informed debate on such a crucial issue. Debate not disruption) Big move by @PMOIndia

— GAURAV C SAWANT (@gauravcsawant) August 5, 2019

Article 370 was supposed to be a TEMPORARY provision but it has gone on for far too long and strife surrounding has now assumed a far more complex nature. It is also suggested that any objection to Article 370 is, in manner of speaking, an opposition of social fabric of the state

— Amrita Bhinder (@amritabhinder) August 5, 2019

Goosebumps! This is an emotional moment. Hail Mother India! #Article370

— Divya Singh🇮🇳 (@Divyasingh04) August 5, 2019

if the special history of the #kashmiris are being set aside by the Centre, wonder what is on store for the #Nagas who also want their special history to be respected while entering an Accord #northeast #Article370 #parliamentsession

— sangeeta b pisharoty (@sangbarooahpish) August 5, 2019

J&K truly is an “integral part of India”.

Under @narendramodi #NewIndia rises!

India 🇮🇳 is no longer bound by the shackles of history, this is a Modi Govt backed by a Billion ready to bite the Bullet and think out of the Box.#BharatEkHai#Article370#KashmirHamaraHai pic.twitter.com/nNpvxD8lWk

— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) August 5, 2019

अद्भुत, अद्वितीय, ऐतिहासिक प्रस्ताव। गृहमंत्री माननीय अमित शाह जी को अनुच्छेद 370 हटाने की सिफ़ारिश करने के लिए पूरे देश की तरफ़ से धन्यवाद। #Article370 @AmitShah pic.twitter.com/1XXNrfs2Bv

— Virendra Singh Mast (@virendramastmp) August 5, 2019

Political Parties Divided

Meanwhile, several political parties were also divided as the Bill was tabled in the Upper House.

We support the govt on its decisions on J & K. We hope this will bring peace and development in the state.

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 5, 2019

The manner in which #Article370 & 35A have been revoked sets a bad precedent. It violates the spirit of the constitution. It means that the Center can reorganise any state by simply imposing President's rule. No stakeholders were consulted before this decision by @BJP4India. pic.twitter.com/a7YER0Bb4W

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) August 5, 2019

Telugu Desam Party supports the Union Govt as it seeks to repeal Article 370. I pray for the peace and prosperity of the people of J&K.#Article370

— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) August 5, 2019

Amid all the expert views on the latest development that will decide the future of Jammu and Kashmir, there were hardly any that represented the state and its people. Given the take down of Internet services and the imposition of Section 144.

As #JammuAndKashmir and #Ladakh are bifurcated and made UTs, it feels unreal to see this unfold with no voices from the affected states. Hard to take any of the hot takes seriously when the people whose lives have been changed by these momentous decisions are silenced.

— Nilanjana Roy (@nilanjanaroy) August 5, 2019