In a united front, legislators from various parties in Jammu and Kashmir, including the Awami Ittehad Party, Peoples Democratic Party, and J&K Peoples Conference, have moved a resolution against the Centre's decision to revoke Article 370 and 35A. They label the move as "unconstitutional and unilateral" and call for the immediate restoration of the articles in their original form, along with the reversal of changes introduced by the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. The leaders urge the Union government to preserve the region's distinct identity, culture, and political autonomy, respecting its democratic and constitutional sanctity.
Revocation of Article 370 and Its Impact on Jammu and Kashmir: A Comprehensive Overview
Background
Article 370 of the Indian Constitution was a special provision that granted the state of Jammu and Kashmir a unique status within the Indian union. It allowed the state to have its own constitution, flag, and autonomous administration. The article was incorporated into the constitution in 1949, as part of the agreement between the Indian government and the state's leaders.
Revocation of Article 370
On August 5, 2019, the Indian government revoked Article 370 and Article 35A of the constitution, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The move was met with widespread protests and criticism, both within and outside the state.
The government's justification for the revocation was that it would help to integrate Jammu and Kashmir more fully into the Indian union, and to promote economic development and security in the state. However, critics argued that the move was unconstitutional and undemocratic, and that it would undermine the unique identity and autonomy of the state.
Impact on Jammu and Kashmir
The revocation of Article 370 has had a significant impact on Jammu and Kashmir. The state has been under a virtual lockdown since August 5, 2019, with restrictions on movement, communication, and assembly. Thousands of people have been arrested, and there have been reports of human rights violations.
The economic impact of the revocation has also been severe. The tourism industry has been decimated, and many businesses have been forced to close. Unemployment and poverty levels have increased, and the region is facing a humanitarian crisis.
Political Consequences
The revocation of Article 370 has also had a profound political impact. The move has deepened the alienation of the Kashmiri people, and has led to increased support for separatism. Several political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have condemned the move, and have called for the restoration of the state's special status.
The revocation has also strained relations between India and Pakistan. Pakistan has condemned the move, and has suspended diplomatic ties with India. The two countries have also exchanged fire across the border, raising fears of a wider conflict.
FAQs
1. Why was Article 370 revoked?
The Indian government's stated reason for revoking Article 370 was to integrate Jammu and Kashmir more fully into the Indian union, and to promote economic development and security in the state.
2. Is the revocation of Article 370 constitutional?
The legality of the revocation of Article 370 is currently being challenged in the Supreme Court of India. The court has yet to issue a ruling on the matter.
3. What has been the impact of the revocation on Jammu and Kashmir?
The revocation has had a devastating impact on Jammu and Kashmir. The state has been under a virtual lockdown since August 5, 2019, with restrictions on movement, communication, and assembly. Thousands of people have been arrested, and there have been reports of human rights violations. The economic impact has also been severe, with the tourism industry decimated and unemployment levels increasing.
4. What are the political consequences of the revocation?
The revocation has deepened the alienation of the Kashmiri people, and has led to increased support for separatism. Several political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have condemned the move, and have called for the restoration of the state's special status. The revocation has also strained relations between India and Pakistan.
5. What is the future of Jammu and Kashmir?
The future of Jammu and Kashmir is uncertain. The revocation of Article 370 has created a deep sense of grievance among the Kashmiri people, and it is unclear how the Indian government will reconcile these grievances with its goal of integrating the state more fully into the Indian union.
King Charles and actor Idris Elba hold a summit at St James's Palace to address the devastating impact of knife crime on young people. The King was moved by the story of a campaigner who overcame his own stabbing incident by taking up boxing, and emphasized the importance of directing energy towards positive activities. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has personally met with grieving parents of knife crime victims, shares the government's goal to halve knife crime in a decade and enact new laws such as Ronan's Law, which bans ninja swords.
The Chief Judge of Taraba State has announced the commencement of the 2025 annual vacation for the state's high courts, with a designated vacation judge to handle urgent matters. The announcement was made through an official notification in the gazette, in accordance with Order 8 Rules 2011. According to the Chief Judge, the designated vacation period will not exceed six weeks and the courts will not be sitting during this time, except for urgent matters or at the request of all parties involved. The appointment of Justice Yahaya Goje as the vacation judge was also announced in the statement.
The Kerala High Court recently dismissed a writ petition filed by a lawyer named Asif Azad, who sought directions to quash a cheque dishonour case against him. In the course of the hearing, Azad refused to argue his case, insisting that the judge, Justice PV Kunhikrishnan, should not hear it as he had imposed costs on Azad in a previous matter. The court, however, clarified that each case is decided on its own merits and that litigants cannot dictate or choose which judge hears their case, emphasizing the need to respect the roster system determined by the Chief Justice.
In a significant development, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, was granted bail by an MP-MLA Special Magistrate Court in Lucknow. Gandhi had been accused of making defamatory statements against Indian soldiers during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in 2022. He had personally appeared before the court and surrendered to seek bail, with his counsel arguing for his innocence. The bail was granted on the condition of furnishing a personal bond of Rs. 20,000 with two sureties. This comes after the Allahabad High Court had dismissed his plea challenging the defamation case and the summoning order, stating that freedom of speech and expression does not cover defamatory statements against individuals or institutions. The next hearing is scheduled for August 13.
Congress leader Udit Raj's remarks about a Dalit or OBC candidate deserving to be chosen for India's Axiom-4 space mission instead of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla have sparked controversy. ISRO has stated that Shukla's 15-day mission in space will play a significant role in the Gaganyaan program. With the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS set for a splashdown on Tuesday, Udit Raj's comments have raised important questions about representation in India's space exploration history.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has stated the importance of the ongoing eviction drive in the state, not only to protect the forests but also to thwart a larger conspiracy to alter the demographic profile of Upper Assam. The government has reclaimed over 160 square kilometers of land from alleged illegal settlers, with a focus on addressing both environmental and demographic encroachment. CM Sarma highlighted the recent eviction drive in Lakhimpur, revealing that many of the evictees were not landless, but already owned homes in their districts of origin.
Ever since the sudden surge in crimes across Bihar, opposition parties have been relentlessly attacking Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his government. With over 50 murders reported in just the first 14 days of this month, the law and order situation in the state has become a major political issue. Leaders from both RJD and Congress have blamed the CM for being unable to control the situation and prioritize his own position instead. In response, the Deputy CM has hit back at the opposition, asserting that the government is taking strict measures to tackle crime and blaming past administration's actions for encouraging criminals.
In a significant milestone for Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the government has managed to free over 12,000 hectares of land from illegal encroachment over the past four years. The efforts are seen as crucial in safeguarding the state's land, identity, and cultural fabric from the "existential threats" of infiltration and planned demographic changes. Taking to social media, Sarma highlighted that this year, over 160 square kilometers of land have been reclaimed, which accounts for almost 75 percent of Guwahati's total area.
With the crucial Bihar assembly elections on the horizon, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a plan to employ one crore youth in the next five years. This decision, seen as a strategic move by the ruling NDA government, aims to counter the opposition's criticism of rising unemployment in the state. A new university dedicated to skill development, named after a renowned leader, will also be launched to equip youth with necessary skills for job opportunities. This initiative is expected to accelerate the pace of government jobs and employment in the state.
Sources have confirmed that the Bihar Cabinet meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, July 15, will focus on expanding welfare schemes and addressing the hot-button issue of reservation. With election season looming, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is expected to announce revised benefits for the youth, elderly, women, and farmers, as well as review the 65% reservation bill and push for implementation of 35% reservation for women in state jobs. The decisions made during this meeting could have a major impact on the outcome of the upcoming assembly elections.