Sometimes the victims do not know what they are being subjected to. Their entire life is traded by the unscrupulous by building their emotions and they have no idea that what could have been theirs in prosperity was collectively lost in anger and revenge.
The Kashmiri Muslims have had that fate. While the political vultures like the Abdullahs, the Muftis and the Geelanis kept up speaking in three different ways – with Indian while talking to Indian media; with Kashmir when in front of Kashmiri separatists; and with Pakistan when with Pakistani Jehadis – the Kashmiri common men and women suffered.
Today, as the Government of India revoked Article 370 by a President’s ordinance; the process to fully embrace the Kashmiris has begun.
The resolution to revoke Article 370 also bifurcates the state into two Union Territories – Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. While UT in Ladakh will have no legislature like Chandigarh; the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will have a legislature like Delhi and Puducherry.
“The President on the recommendation of the Parliament is pleased to declare that as from August 5, 2019, all clauses of the said Article 370 shall cease to be operative..” said the resolution.
Indian Home Minister Amit Shah announced this in the Rajya Sabha.
The events leading upto the revocation of the Article that gave special status to Jammu & Kashmir will always remain historic and debated for many hundreds of years to come. Here is a good synopsis of the events and decisions by the Modi Government.
Constitutionally, what the government did today was sound and it has been backed by the constitutional experts.
Constitution expert Subhash Kashyap on #Article370: I can only say, constitutionally it is sound, no legal & constitutional fault can be found in it. Govt has carefully studied the matter. As for the question, if it's a political decision, I have nothing to say on that. pic.twitter.com/FNDbeh6jBt
— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2019
So what are the major changes that will come as a result of revoking the Article 370?
Right to buy property: the Article empowered the J&K legislature to define the state’s “permanent residents” and grant them special rights and privileges. That power is now gone. So, anyone from outside of J&K can buy property in he state and settle there.
Special powers and Separate constitution: J&K had a separate constitution per the provisions of Article 370. Now those special powers and the separate constitution is gone. Now, Jammu and Kashmir will align with the Constitution of India.
Law and Order: came under the Jammu and Kashmir government. Now with the bifurcation of the state in J&K and Ladakh Union Territories, that will need restructuring. While Delhi’s law and order are in the hands of the Center; in Puducherry, it is in the hands of the state. We will need to see how the UT of Jammu and Kashmir are structured.
Here is a table with a good summary of all the changes.
Just the fact that Jammu and Kashmir is now aligned with the Indian Constitution and outsiders can buy property there ensures the future prosperity of the state and its people.
The greatest issue with J&K and the ramification of Art 370 was that only money was pumped in the state, with no accountability. No law and order offenses or corruptions acts were applicable in the state. The politicians could do whatever the heck they wanted. And that is why today Kashmir is the worst-kept place in the union.
This will change.
This is, therefore, an embrace by India. Not a conquest. It is taking the people and place out of the hands of those who milked both. Those who killed them while enjoying themselves!
