Article 370 and 35 (A) scrapped. What change does it bring in J&K

Earlier today Amit Shah dropped the biggest bomb announcing the revoke of two provisions – Article 370 and Article 35 (A) from Jammu & Kashmir. This order from center states “It shall come into force at once”.

The repealing of Article 370 was announced by Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha where they decide to bifurcate Jammu & Kashmir into 2 union territories – Jammu & Kashmir which will have a legislature and Ladakh, which will be without a legislature.

As soon as the announcement was made, a massive chaos in the upper house followed with MP’s of opposition seen protesting. It was only the last night, that the state’s top leaders were house arrested amid a security built-up and section 144 was imposed, suspending telecom/internet services.

What is Article 370?

Under Article 370, the centre needs the state government’s consensus to apply laws – except in foreign affairs, defence, finance and communications.

The centre has no power to declare financial emergency under Article 360, it can only be done in case of external aggression or war.

Article 370, the provision was drafted by Sheikh Abdullah in 1947, who was appointed by Maharaja Hari Singh  and Jawaharlal Nehru.

Changes in J&K after Article 370 and 35 (A)

• People from anywhere in India can now buy property and settle in the state.
• A separate Union Territory will be created for J&K with legislature, Amit Shah’s notification revealed,

“Keeping in view the prevailing internal security situation, fuelled by cross-border terrorism in the existing state of Jammu & Kashmir, a seperate Union Territory is being created”

• Ladakh to be given  the status of Union Territory, without legislature.

Following Amit Shah’s proposal, President of India, Ram Nath Kovind stated that the provisions of Indian constitution will henceforth be applicable to J&K.