Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday moved resolutions in the Lok Sabha to revoke Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and to bifurcate the state into two union territories – J-K and Ladakh.

Defending the abrogation of Article 370, which grants special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Amit Shah opening the debate, asserted that “Jammu and Kashmir is an integral and inseparable part of India”.

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“I want to make it very clear and put it on record once again that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral and inseparable part of India. There is absolutely no doubt over it, and there is no legal dispute on this,” Amit Shah said in the Lok Sabha.

In an unprecedented move, the Centre had on Monday scrapped Article 370 of the Indian Constitution which gives autonomous status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It was passed in the Rajya Sabha with over two-thirds majority.

The Congress, which has stood firmly against the repealing of the article questioned the procedure and laws used to scrap Article 370.

“We are not making any allegation. We just want to know the procedure and laws used. Also, we want to know why you have locked down Kashmir Valley… why have you made it a kaidkhana (a prison)?” asked Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

Hitting back, Home Minister Amit Shah said that it was “not a political move”.

“This is not a political move. Parliament has full powers to make laws for the entire country. The constitution of India and the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir both allow for this to be done.”

He further made it clear that Jammu and Kashmir includes “Pak-occupied Kashmir”.

“Let there be no doubt over it. Entire Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the Union of India,” he said.

He said that Aksai Chin — a disputed border area between China and India — is also included when he talks about Jammu and Kashmir.

Further on, he said Section 3 of Article 370 allows the President to issue a gazette notification and revoke the special status given under Article 370 adding that this power has been used to revoke the temporary special status given to J-K.

The government has maintained that vested interests did not want the application of Indian laws in Kashmir, which has had a significant impact on investment and led to gender discrimination.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir is under a lockdown with Section 144 imposed across Srinagar and other sensitive areas of the Valley. Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah are under house arrest since Monday morning.