History of Jammu and Kashmir: Article 370 and Autonomy

12 Questions

What year did the Indian Parliament incorporate Article 370 into the Indian Constitution?

1950

Which of the following were NOT granted as part of the autonomy under Article 370 to Jammu and Kashmir?

Permission for citizens from other parts of India to purchase land freely

Which of the following accurately describes the voting rights granted by Article 370 to Jammu and Kashmir?

Only permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir had the right to vote

How did Article 370 impact the land ownership in Jammu and Kashmir?

It required approval from the local government for citizens to purchase land

What was the significance of members of Parliament representing Jammu and Kashmir not needing to follow the party whip according to Article 370?

They had more power to influence national policies affecting the state

Which of the following best describes the impact of Article 370 on the ground in Jammu and Kashmir?

'It was largely symbolic with minimal real changes'

What was a key restriction imposed by Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir?

Outsiders were prohibited from owning property without approval.

Why did many people feel that Article 370 did not provide enough autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir?

Because it restricted movement into the region.

What was the outcome of the central government's decision to revoke Article 370 in 2019?

Protests and unrest in the region.

Despite the loss of some autonomy, what benefit do many locals feel they have gained after the revocation of Article 370?

Better access to resources like healthcare and education.

What remains uncertain about the future of Jammu and Kashmir despite the changes in its governance?

Its integration into mainstream Indian society.

What ongoing issue contributes to tensions in Jammu and Kashmir even after the revocation of Article 370?

Disputes with neighboring countries like Pakistan and China over border control.

Study Notes

History of Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is known for its unique history and complex political situation. It has been at the center of conflicts between India and Pakistan since Partition in 1947 over the region's accession status. One significant aspect of this history is the enactment of Article 370 by the Indian government in 1950, which granted special autonomous powers to Jammu and Kashmir. Here's a brief overview of these events:

Article 370

Article 370 was incorporated into the Indian Constitution by the Indian parliament in 1950 through a constitutional amendment. This provision gave Jammu and Kashmir a certain amount of autonomy within the Indian Union. Some key features of this law included:

A distinct flag, coat of arms, and constitution for Jammu and Kashmir.
No citizens from other parts of India could purchase land in the state without permission from the local government.
Only Indians who were permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir had the right to vote.
Members of Parliament representing Jammu and Kashmir did not need to follow the party whip or vote according to their party line when voting in Parliament, giving them more power to influence national policies affecting the state.

In practice, however, Article 370 ended up being largely symbolic because it made few real changes on the ground. For example, while it prevented outsiders from owning property in the state without prior approval from the local administration, there wasn't much restriction on people moving into the region and settling down.

Autonomy in Jammu and Kashmir

Despite the existence of Article 370, many felt that it didn't give Jammu and Kashmir enough autonomy. In 2019, the central government revoked the law, leading to protests and unrest in the region. Since then, the state of Jammu and Kashmir has functioned similar to any other state in India in terms of governance. However, tensions still exist due to ongoing disputes with neighboring countries like Pakistan and China over border control. Despite the loss of some level of autonomy, many locals feel that they have better access to resources such as healthcare and education now that they don't have to rely solely on the central government for funding.

Today, although the exact future remains uncertain, it seems clear that Jammu and Kashmir will continue to face challenges related to its historical position as a contested territory between India and Pakistan. As the area transitions towards becoming more integrated into mainstream Indian society, questions remain regarding how well local traditions and cultures can be protected under increasingly universal rules.