As soon as the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, which splits the state into two Union Territories, sailed through the Lok Sabha today, the Jammu region erupted in joy. People in many areas celebrated the Modi government’s historic decision regarding Jammu & Kashmir.

Although Section 144 was imposed in Jammu, people celebrated at their homes and temples.

The people in Jammu have been alleging that they were facing discrimination and step-motherly treatment from Kashmiri politicians and the region always got a raw deal when it came to development. The people also used to allege that there was regional disparity and Jammu was suffering due to the domination of Kashmir region in the affairs of the state.

With the scrapping of Article 370, the people are now hopeful that Jammu will get an equal share and it will no longer have to play a second fiddle to Kashmir region. There is an overwhelming sentiment in Jammu region that its political empowerment will happen now.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hailed the passage of bills on Jammu and Kashmir in Parliament as a “momentous occasion” in parliamentary democracy and said a new dawn awaits the state which is now free from the “shackles” of vested interest groups. “Together we are, together we shall rise and together we will fulfil the dreams of 130 crore Indians! A momentous occasion in our Parliamentary democracy, where landmark bills pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir have been passed with overwhelming support!” he said in a series of tweets soon after the Lok Sabha passed the bills.

Jammu and Kashmir is no longer a state or special with the Parliament of India passing a resolution to dilute Article 370 of the Constitution and a bill to bifurcate the state into two Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.

The resolution was passed by Lok Sabha with 351 members in support and 72 against it, while one member abstained.

Rajya Sabha had adopted the resolution on Monday.