Chennai, August 7, 2019: Bishop Ezra Sargunam of the Evangelical Church of India was among hundreds who joined various political parties in Tamil Nadu to protest the federal government repealing Article 370 of the Constitution that gave special status to Jammu And Kashmir State.
They tried to march towards Raj Bhavan, the residence of the governor, on August 7 to express their displeasure.
Around 300 cadre and leaders of various political parties including Thamimun Ansari, legislator and general secretary of Manithaneya Jananayaka Katchi; Suba Veerapandiyan of Dravida Iyakka Tamilar Peravai, gathered at the Little Mount and moved towards Raj Bhavan.
They were stopped by the police on the way, taken to a community hall located nearby and detained, newindianexpress.com reported.
The Lok Sabha on August 7 approved repealing of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status embedded in Article 370 by 351 to 72 votes.
Earlier, the bill to split Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh into two Union Territories was passed by the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of parliament.
Replying to the day-long debate, home minister Amit Shah said the Modi government would have no hesitation in restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir when normalcy returned and added that India would not give up its claim on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir either.
“India will continue to claim Pakistan occupied Kashmir,” he said.
The measures are bound to be challenged in the Supreme Court.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the Lok Sabha approval and said, “The bills pertaining to Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh will ensure integration and empowerment. These steps will bring the youth into mainstream and give them innumerable opportunities to showcase their skills and talents.”