Abolition Of The Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir – A Great Move By The Modi Government
The government has taken a decisive decision “the abolition of the article 370” in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh” on 5th August 2017. The Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has said that this action of the central government will definitely break the backbone of the separatists and terrorists who used this special shield of status to proceed their activities. The minority affair Minister of India also said that the Modi government has corrected 70-years –old mistake in just seven hours. The national Minority commission which possessed no jurisdiction in Jammu and Kashmir due to the abolition of the article 370 will also be able taking up problems faced by the minorities. He said, “With the revocation of the Article 370, the path for solving the problems of Jammu and Kashmir has been cleared.”
How significant is the article 370?
The article allowed the state a certain amount of independent rights such as its own constitution, its separate flag and also freedom to make new laws. The defence, Foreign affairs and communication of the central government remained preserved. As a result of this, Jammu and Kashmir could make its independent rules relating to permanent ownership of the property, permanent residency and fundamental rights. It restricted the Indians from other states from purchasing property there. The constitutional provision has underpinned the often fraught relationship with Kashmir. It is the only Muslim majority region to join India at the partition.
Why did the government do it?
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party had opposed the Article 370 and revoked it at the same time. They argued that it should be scrapped to integrate Kashmir with the other states of India and put it on the same footing. After returning to power in April and May Lok Sabha election, the government did not waste a minute to start acting on its pledge.
The critics of Monday have linked it to the economic slowdown which India is facing currently – they are hopeful that it will provide a much-required diversion to the government. There are many Kashmiris who believe that the BJP is ultimately trying to change the demographic scenario of the Muslim majority region by allowing non-Kashmiris to buy land at this place. However, the Home Minister announcement in Parliament on Monday came as a big surprise to most of the Indians. It is said that the government has taken some kind of preparation to arrive at this decision. The move which is taken by the government fits perfectly with the Prime Minister Modi’s desire which clearly shows that the BJP is tough on Kashmir and Pakistan.
What changes will take place with the abolition of this article 370?
With the abolition of this article, Kashmir will no longer possess a separate constitution and it will have to abide by the law and order of Indian Constitution like other states. All Indian laws will be applicable to the Kashmiris and the citizens from other states are allowed to buy property land at this place. The government has said that this will bring a huge development to this region. The government will also take a move to divide the state into two federally administered regions. One region will combine the Muslim majority Kashmir and Hindu majority Jammu. The other will Buddhist majority Ladakh which is close to Tibet.
What is article 370?
Article 370 of the Indian Constitution provides an autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir. Under this provision or act, the state has been accorded a special status which deals with transitional, temporary and special provisions. All the provisions of the Indian constitution which are applied to other states of India will not be applicable to Jammu and Kashmir.