Restoration of Statehood In Jammu And Kashmir | Latest Update
SRINAGAR: With the likelihood of Assembly elections in J&K in August-September, the Congress has demanded that statehood be restored before the Assembly polls. The party has also authorised its J&K unit to take a call on forging alliances with parties for the Assembly polls, first such exercise in J&K UT reported New Indian Express.
“Without restoration of statehood, polls in J&K would be meaningless. We are seeing the fate of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. Our party leaders and other opposition leaders will also be raising the issue forcefully in Parliament,” said senior J&K Congress leader and former MLC Ghulam Nabi Monga.
On August 5, 2019, the Centre scrapped J&K’s special status and bifurcated the erstwhile J&K state into two Union Territories – Jammu and Kashmir (with legislature) and Ladakh (without legislature).
The Supreme Court in December last year directed the Election Commission to hold Assembly polls in J&K before September 30, 2024. Ahead of the Assembly polls, the Congress held a brainstorming session involving its J&K unit and the party leadership in New Delhi last week.
A Congress leader, who attended the Delhi meeting, said results of recently held Lok Sabha polls in UT were discussed in detail during the meeting. Although Congress lost both the seats it contested in the Jammu region to the BJP, its vote share increased by 5-10%.
Abrogation of Article 370
The abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which took place on August 5, 2019, was a significant political and constitutional event in India. Article 370 granted special autonomous status to the region of Jammu and Kashmir. Here’s an overview of the key aspects:
What Article 370 Entailed:
Autonomy: Jammu and Kashmir had its own constitution, flag, and autonomy over internal matters except defense, communications, finance, and foreign affairs.
Legislation: Indian Parliament needed the state government’s concurrence for applying laws to Jammu and Kashmir, except in defense, foreign affairs, finance, and communications.
Residency and Property: Only residents of Jammu and Kashmir could buy property and secure government jobs in the state.
Abrogation Process:
Presidential Order: The President of India issued an order applying all provisions of the Indian Constitution to Jammu and Kashmir.
Parliamentary Approval: The Indian Parliament passed a resolution to abrogate Article 370 and reconstitute the state into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Implications:
Political: The move was controversial and led to widespread debates. It was supported by some as a step towards greater integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India but opposed by others who viewed it as a breach of trust and an erosion of autonomy.
Security: The region experienced heightened security measures and a communication blackout in the immediate aftermath.
Legal and Administrative Changes: The reorganization led to significant changes in the legal and administrative framework of the region.
Current Developments:
The restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, which the government is considering, aims to address administrative and political concerns and prepare for elections. The political dynamics and alliances in the region could shift depending on this decision.