| Demand of the question Introduction. Contextual Introduction. Body. Impact of abrogation of Article 370 on Jammu and Kashmir. Conclusion. Way forward. |
Recently the Central government revoked Article 370 of the Constitution which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Although ‘The Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 2019’ issued by President of India has not abrogated Article 370 completely, special status of Jammu and Kashmir has been withdrawn.
Impact of abrogation of Article 370 on Jammu and Kashmir:
- Economic impact: According to Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy’s (CMIE), Jammu & Kashmir had the highest monthly average unemployment rate of 15% between January 2016 and July 2019 among all the states.
- This step will enhance investment and job opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir.
- The significant move, opens up potential opportunities for development-led economic growth in the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.
- Education: It would lead to opening up of institutions of national importance like IITs, IIMs in the valley. Professors who were not ready to go there as their children don’t get admission in schools will settle there.
- Security: It will bolster security in the valley through timely and swift action.
- National Intelligence would strengthen against terrorism through better presence in the valley. However, it will take some time to do so.
- Also due to designation as union territory the state’s police will not be answerable to Kashmir-based politicians. Rather, the police will answer to the center.
- This move will help the center better control violence in Kashmir.
- Administrative: The downgrading of Kashmir’s status from state to union territory has important implications.
- As being declared Union territories Jammu and Kashmir will be directly handled by the central government.
- The new union territory of Jammu and Kashmir will resemble that of Puducherry and Delhi while Ladakh will resemble with others like Andaman and Nicobar.
- Thus it will help central government to work for development of the region.
- 73rd and 74th amendments pertaining to elections of local bodies were not applicable in the state. Now local participation will increase in the governance after implementation of these acts.
- Corruption: Many of India’s anti-corruption laws were not applicable in Kashmir. It is widely recognised that political actors in the state have long been on the payroll of all sides, allowing them to accumulate vast wealth. Now central government can effectively act against corruption paving way for development of the region.
- Better Rights: Article 370 had numerous pernicious impacts. Kashmir’s citizens were denied many of the advantages of modern India. For example, it prevented the implementation of the Right to Education in the valley. It also denied residents of the erstwhile Kashmir the advantages of the system of reservations enjoyed by other disadvantaged caste communities. Now J&K people will enjoy all such rights.
- Regional impact: The only countries that have been directly provoked by India’s action are Pakistan and China.
- Pakistan’s protest is guided by vested and evil interest to occupy whole region.
- While China is concerned about its occupied Askai Chin part and CPEC engagement with Pakistan.
- This division will effectively separates India’s territorial disputes with Pakistan from its disputes with China. Pakistan’s dispute will largely focus on the Valley, while China will largely focus upon claims to Aksai Chin.
- Terrorist activities: Although China would not cause much problem, Pakistan would increase its state sponsored terrorism in the valley, supporting anti-Indian elements in the valley. It would lead to violence in the region and may cause rift among India and the people of the valley. With much better control in the valley, Government and security agencies need to act proactively to contain such acts.
The special status of J&K was meant to end, but only with the concurrence of its people. The Centre’s abrupt move disenfranchised them on a matter that directly affected their life and sentiments. Thus, the move is bound to have a significant impact on the demography, culture, and politics of J&K. Government should reach out to J&K people’s and assure them security and better governance.
