Article 370: What happened with Kashmir and why it matters.

Pedro_P

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India's BJP-led government is hailing its decision to strip the state of Jammu and Kashmir of autonomy after seven decades, characterising it as the correction of a "historical blunder". The BBC's Geeta Pandey in Delhi explains why this has happened and why it's important.
▼ Why is Kashmir controversial?
Kashmir is a Himalayan region that both India and Pakistan say is fully theirs.
The area was once a princely state called Jammu and Kashmir, but it joined India in 1947 when the sub-continent was divided up at the end of British rule.
India and Pakistan subsequently went to war over it and each came to control different parts of the territory with a ceasefire line agreed.
There has been violence in the Indian-administered side - the state of Jammu and Kashmir - for 30 years due to a separatist insurgency against Indian rule.
What's happened now?
In the first few days of August, there were signs of something afoot in Kashmir.
Tens of thousands of additional Indian troops were deployed, a major Hindu pilgrimage was cancelled, schools and colleges were shut, tourists were ordered to leave, telephone and internet services were suspended and regional political leaders were placed under house arrest.
But most of the speculation was that Article 35A of the Indian constitution, which gave some special privileges to the people of the state, would be scrapped.
The government then stunned everyone by saying it was revoking nearly all of Article 370, which 35A is part of and which has been the basis of Kashmir's complex relationship with India for some 70 years.
How significant is Article 370?
The article allowed the state a certain amount of autonomy - its own constitution, a separate flag and freedom to make laws. Foreign affairs, defence and communications remained the preserve of the central government.
As a result, Jammu and Kashmir could make its own rules relating to citizenship, ownership of property and fundamental rights. It could also bar Indians from outside the state from purchasing property or settling there.
Why did the government do it? (▪ ▪ ▪)

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themaskeditor

I support the removal of the article 370. My take always has been either we leave Kashmir or integrate it in India. But now after almost 70 years of independence we have lost a lot to protect Kashmir and that should be respected by the people of Kashmir and they should be happy to be integrated into India.

Also now after 70 years of independence and maintaining Kashmir, it is rightful of India to be integrated into Indian mainland.

During the past a couple of wars it seems from history that India had the upper hand, but we bowed down to the international pressure and let it linger.

It seems that the Indian Government reacted quickly due to the pressure from uncle sam. It also seems that there are many foreign powers that do not want the Kashmir issue resolved because they are well known to screw up stable countries.

Long back Pakistan has forcefully integrated the province of Gilgit into it's mainland hence we have the right to do what our government has done.

asr335704

This thing was pending for more than 50 years due to lack of political will and external pressures.
Removal of this article will not only boost industrial growth, basic infrastructure and development in Kashmir region but it will also remove a lot of bureaucratic hurdles between central government and state government or state governor.

ajayjohri

All we can say is better late than never. Kudos to teh Government of India for being decisive on a matter of such great importance. Wonder why the previous Governments never thought of doing so!

ajayjohri

themaskeditor 6-8-2019 12:18 PM
I support the removal of the article 370. My take always has been either we leave Kashmir or integra ...

Perfectly captured!

themaskeditor

One thing is for sure, we could never arrive at a Kashmir solution diplomatically.

Using diplomacy Pakistan and china would keep on screwing us royally.

Only war could be the final solution in which either India survives or Pakistan.

Also for a better future India needs it's own manufacturing base, currently we are too much dependent on China.

Making India dependent on cheap chinese goods china has almost killed India's manufacturing sector. It is our people's fault that we have fallen to these cheap chinese imports.

Until India stands on its own feet and becomes self sufficient for 60 to 80 % we cannot sustain ourselves in economic warfare of the future.

Rhett_Bassard

themaskeditor 7-8-2019 10:51 AM
One thing is for sure, we could never arrive at a Kashmir solution diplomatically.

Using diplomacy ...

If you believe diplomacy is impossible, can tariffs and stronger borders be far behind? Want to borrow Trump?
You nicely identify the need for manufacturing sustainability, but that may be only one side of the rupee coin.
The other side of the coin is potable water and I suspect J&K has 'some' of what India and Pakistan need.
Amongst India, Pakistan and China, who wins the #WaterWar leaving Bangladesh with dry faucets?

Venky

At ground level Kashmiris got nothing but only growing suspicion due to article 370. This has benefited may be 5% of the privileged few. The average person will benefit now from the larger Indian market, development funds etc. Voice of Laddakh and Jammu will not be lost in din of noise created by Pakistan

parivijesh100

Art 370 was assisting politicians only in looting Kashmir fund wherein Kashmir is were the sufferer. They were deprived of all Governmental benefits. Good action taken for the benefits of kadhmiris.