Opposition bid to repeal Article 370 foiled in RS

New Delhi, Nov 24: A private member's Bill to repeal the Article 370 of the Constitution of India, according special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was rejected in the Rajya Sabha amid heavy protests from the treasury benches, saying such a Bill had been negated twice in the past in the House.

The Bill seeking to omit Article 370 of the Constitution was introduced by Mr Manohar Joshi of the Shiv Sena, which sparked off intense protests by Congress Chief Whip V Narayana Sami as he rose to speak.

BJP Deputy Leader Sushma Swaraj, supporting Mr Joshi, said the legislative competence of Parliament could not be questioned at the introductory stage itself.

India is a secular country and Jammu and Kashmir has been accorded special status under the Constitution, though as a temporary provision, she added.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Pachauri rose to inform that on earlier two occasion on August 24, 1956 and July 30, 1993 the Bill had been negated and hence, it could not be introduced in the House again for discussion.

Opposition benches insisted that the introduction of Bill cannot be opposed at the introductory stage, and the Chair refused to allow the introduction of the Bill citing rulings in the Constitution.

Treasury benches rejected the introduction of the Bill by a voice vote and the opposition walked out of the House protesting the refusal to introduce the Bill.

UNI