India is a humongous country, the seventh-largest in the world. And the state of Jammu and Kashmir is probably it’s one of the most beautiful and delicate possession. But in recent years, Jammu and Kashmir have been the talk of the town for more than just it’s beauty.

Article 370! Yes.

We have been hearing controversies on and off about section 370 in the news for quite a while now. What is this section 370? Why is it enforced?

Article 370 of the Indian constitution is an article that gives autonomous status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Putting it in simpler words, there are several exceptional provisions made for the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Some of these are really unlikely. For example, Jammu and Kashmir are allowed to have their own constitution and its own flag! I mean it’s own flag?!

Another exceptional provision states that the citizens of other states of India cannot buy property in Jammu and Kashmir. Hence ensuring permanent residence to the natives of the state. Also, unlike other states of the country, the tenure of the state assembly is six years. In other states, it is for five years.

The Indian parliament, as well as limited control over Jammu and Kashmir, limited only to defence, external affairs, communication and currency. Well, seems like Jammu and Kashmir is the favoured child of mother India;)

So why was Section 370 enforced? It was first enforced because the accession of the state of Jammu and Kashmir is still the matter of dispute between India and Pakistan since the then prime minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru took this issue to the UN council.

Kashmir was one of the princely states back in 1947 who had the option of remaining a free territory or joining whichever country it intended to join. Kashmir could’ve joined India or Pakistan. It’s a monarch, Maharaja Hari Singh was a Hindu and wanted to join India while most of the public was Muslim and wanted to join Pakistan. Hence choosing sides was quite a decision for the state of Kashmir. They, at last, decided to remain neutral but their hopes were shattered when Pakistani tribesmen sent by Pakistan started knocking doors of the capital of Srinagar in October of 1947.

Hari Singh fled to India and asked for military assistance. In return, he signed Instrument of Accession, ceding Kashmir to India on October 26, 1947.

A war between India and Pakistan followed regarding this in 1947-48. India, not wanting to be violent, took the issue to the United Nations. The UN asked both the countries to remove its forces. Now a free and fair plebiscite was to be held for the Kashmiri’s to decide their future. India was confident that the outcome would be in their favour since the most influential Kashmiri mass leader Sheikh Abdullah was on their side.

Also Read: Article 370 – Seventy Years of Politics

But Pakistan ignored the UN mandate and continued the attack on Kashmir, holding onto the portion of Kashmir under its control. On January 1, with 65% of the territory under Indian control and the remainder with Pakistan.

Finally, in 1957, Kashmir was formally incorporated into the Indian union and was granted special status under Article 370.

Although the Article was supposed to be ‘temporary’ as it is clearly mentioned in the constitution, it is seen as mandatory for smooth governing of the state and peace all over.

Cut to today’s world, there have been debates since long about keeping or discarding article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

Renowned actor and politician Anupam Kher tweeted and let us know his opinion that Article 370 has not only made pandits suffer but also Muslims themselves have suffered for years. He suggests that removal of article 370 may not only help reduce crime rates but also it will provide broader and more open opportunities for the youth of the state. Anupam Kher is himself a Kashmiri pandit and had regularly voiced his concerns and opinions when it comes to the prevailing issues that affect the valley.

There is a upstir of dissatisfaction in the Indian public regarding the commencing of Article 370 in full fledge even though it has been labelled as ‘temporary’ in the Indian constitution. There are tons of tweets to Amit Shah requesting him to abolish the article. Dr Pushyamitra Mishra said congratulating Home minister Amit Shah that he ‘hopes next year onwards we will be able to purchase a flat in Kashmir’.

With the commencement of the new term of the country’s favourite Modi government, there have been several hopes regarding our relationship with Pakistan. Some of us want a war and want to end it once and for all. Others demand a peace treaty. A major portion of the population wants a hundred percent of Kashmir to belong to the Indian union. This type of scenario is only possible through war because Pakistan is clearly not ready to let go of Heaven on Earth.

Although some people also threaten the opposite. Some people are also worried that if we take back the autonomous status given to Kashmir, it will make things worse and add splashes of crimson in god’s own beautifully painted white and green canvas. Some politicians have also threatened that the abolishment of this article will bring turmoil to the entire country and the government should be very careful before taking a step.

These were some of the facts regarding the much-discussed article 370 currently in controversy along with some of my views woven inside it. Hope you guys liked it and found it useful. Let’s see what this next term of Modi government brings for Kashmir, it’s pandits, it’s Muslims and most importantly, it’s youth. Mehbooba Mufti was the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir till 19th June 2018. Currently, Kashmir is under the presidential rule. Needless to say, it is a very sensitive and delicate topic for the country and the government and hence requires careful planning and strategy before executing any step.

With this, I sign off. See you until next