New Delhi [India], December 11 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called Supreme Court's decision to constitutionally validating the removal of Article 370 a "historic" decision that is going to make every Indian happy.

Singh also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for abolishing Article 370 and said that Jammu and Kashmir has entered a new era of development.

Supreme Court on Monday upheld the Union Government's decision to abrogate Article 370 of the constitution which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir and said that every decision taken by the Centre on behalf of a State can't be subject to a legal challenge.

"Today, the decision of the Prime Minister @narendramodi to abolish Articles 370 and 35A of the Constitution and that entire process has been upheld by the Supreme Court. This historic decision of the Supreme Court is going to make every Indian happy," said Rajnath Singh in a post on X.

"By abolishing Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Modi has not only written a new chapter but has also given new strength to the unity and integrity of India. Today Jammu and Kashmir has entered a new era of development," he added.

"I have full confidence that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh will prove to be a leader in terms of development and good governance," Sigh said further.

In lined with Singh's sentiments Union Home Minister Amit Shah also praised the Supreme Court's decision and said that today's verdict has proved that the decision by the government was completely constitutional.

In his post on X, Amit Shah said "I welcome the Supreme Court of India's verdict upholding the decision to abolish Article370. On the 5th of August 2019, PM Narendra Modi Ji took a visionary decision to abrogate Article370. Since then peace and normalcy have returned to JK. Growth and development have brought new meaning to human life in the valley once torn by violence. Prosperity in the tourism and agriculture sectors has raised the income levels of the residents of both Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.""Today, the Supreme Court's verdict has proved that the decision to abrogate Article370 was completely constitutional," he added.

The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the Union Government's decision to abrogate Article 370 of the constitution which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir and said that every decision taken by the Centre on behalf of a State can't be subject to a legal challenge.

A five-judge Constitution bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, and Surya Kant delivered the verdict.

CJI Chandrachud reading out the judgement said that every decision taken by the Centre on behalf of a State under proclamation can't be subject to a legal challenge and it will lead to the administration of the State to a standstill.

Supreme Court said that it has held that Article 370 was a temporary provision. "The proclamation of Maharaja stated that the Constitution of India will supersede. With this, the para of Instrument of Accession ceases to exist.... Article 370 was an interim arrangement due to war conditions in the State. Textual reading also indicates that Article 370 is a temporary provision," the Court said.

The Court also noted that Article 370 was meant for the constitutional integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the Union and it was not for disintegration and the President can declare that Article 370 ceases to exist.

"Concurrence of the State government was not required to apply all provisions of the Constitution using Article 370(1)(d). So, the President of India taking the concurrence of the Union government was not malafide," the Court noted.

The Supreme Court also directed the Election Commission to hold Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections by September 30, 2024. The Supreme Court said in view of Centre's submission on restoration of statehood of Jammu and Kashmir, it directs that statehood shall be restored as soon as possible.

On August 5, 2019, the central government announced the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir granted under Article 370 and split the region into two union territories. (ANI)