Bills On Kashmir: BCI Chairman Hails Modi, Shah [Read Press Release]

As the Bill to reorganise and bifurcate Jammu and Kashmir into Union Territory sailed through the Rajya Sabha today, the Bar Council of India hailed Prime Miniter Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah as bold leaders for taking the historic and landmark decision.

BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra congratulated the Union government on the "historic and landmark decision".

Hailing Modi and Shah as great leaders, Mishra said on behalf of BCI that, "This step could have been taken only by a bold , magnetic, daring and unparalleled leader like Modiji being ably supported by other dynamic leaders like our Home Minister Amit Shah ji.

"This step is a clear proof of the wisdom, foresightedness, dynamism and courage of our Hon'ble Prime Minister".

The BCI further said that, "The nation will remember Modiji and Amit Shah ji for all times to come. The debt of our forefathers and leaders and the commonmen who had lost their lives fighting for this cause has been repayed today".

But some of the Bar Council members told LiveLaw that they are not aware of any such resolution.

In response to the above statement, a Bar Council Member N Manoj Kumar has issued the following statement;

"The statement issued by Shri. Mannan Kumar Mishra is only his personal view and it is not the opinion of the Bar Council of India on this subject as the same has not been discussed by the Council or a resolution to that regard passed by the Council.

My view on this subject is that the action of the Modi Government virtually scrapping Article 370 of the Constitution of India and thereby abrogating/ obliterating the special status of Jammu and Kashmir by issuing a Presidential order is not only unconstitutional, undemocratic and authoritarian but also against National Integration. It is totally beyond the powers of the Central Government or the President to amend Article 367 or Article 370 by a presidential order. The things are more vitiated, compounded and aggravated having regard to the fact that there is no elected government in office in Jammu and Kashmir and it is under Presidential rule.

It is unfortunate that Shri. Mannan Mishra, Chairman of the Bar Council of India issued such a statement reflecting only his personal opinion as it appears to be issued by the Bar Council of India. Bar Council of India has nothing to do with this statement. I express my strong dissent in the statement issued by the Chairman, Bar Council of India".

Read the BCI Press release.