Homeland Security

Article 370: The untold story
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Issue Vol 26.1 Jan-Mar 2011 | Date : 14 Feb , 2019

Troops patrol in Kashmir

It is often not realized that among the causes of Kashmir problem – inclusion of plebiscite in the Instrument of Accession, reference of Kashmir to UN, halting Indian offensive when it was poised to drive out the invaders from Kashmir, Article 370 has played no less a part in preventing J&K from becoming an integral part of the Indian Union. Not many people are aware as how and why this Article was formulated and included in the Indian Constitution despite grave misgivings of Sardar Patel and indeed a large number of the members of Congress Working Committee and Constituent Assembly.

Article 370 was worked out in late 1947 between Sheikh Abdullah, who had by then been appointed Prime Minister of J&K by the Maharaja and Nehru, who kept the Kashmir portfolio with himself and kept Sardar Patel, the home minister, away from his legitimate function. Hence Nehru is answerable to all acts of commission and omission, consequences of which we are suffering till date as far as J&K is concerned.

“Why should a state of the Indian Union have a special status? It conveys a wrong signal not only to Kashmiris but also to the separatists, Pakistan and indeed the international community that J&K is still to become integral part of India, the sooner Article 370 is done away is better.”

While it was Mountbatten who persuaded Nehru to take the J&K issue to the UN, it was Sheikh Abdullah, who, driven by his ambition to be ruler of an independent Kashmir and his hatred for the Maharaja, persuaded Nehru to give special status to J&K. Among his reasons were – occupation of one third of J&K by Pakistan, reference to the UN and plebiscite. The most sinister aspect of proposed Article 370 was the provision that any changes could be brought about in it only by the concurrence of J&K assembly. Nehru’s promise that Article 370 was a temporary provision and will get eroded over a period of time has turned out to be a chimera. The first thing that Sheikh Abdullah got done was to abolish hereditary monarchy and redesignate him as Sadar-e-Riyasat who was to be elected by the Assembly. The accession of J&K State into Indian Union was approved by J&K Assembly only in 1956.

Dramatis Personal

Jawahar Lal Nehru The handsome Harrow educated aristocrat who gave up a life of luxury to join the freedom movement. Babu’s choose heir and darling of the masses, he had a fatal flaw. He cared for personalities rather than issues and institutions, be it selection of Lord Mountbatten as the first Governor General of free India, retaining a senior British officer as the Commander-in-Chief of India Army or backing Sheikh Abdullah to the hilt – his choices were unfortunate. Finally the Chinese aggression of 1962 shattered his image of a world statesman.

Sardar Patel The Iron Man of India — silent, strong and pragmatic with a complete hold on congress party organization — rightly credited with creating a unified India by integrating 565 princely states in it — he would have included Kashmir also in it if allowed to do so by Nehru. The only blot on him was the insinuation that he failed to protect his beloved Bapu. The slur only hastened his end in Dec 1950.

Nehru’s promise that Article 370 was a temporary provision and will get eroded over a period of time has turned out to be a chimera.

Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah Charismatic Kashmiri leader who never let go of his dream of ruling an independent Kashmir even while masquerading as a secularist — architect of Article 370 along with Nehru. He must share with Nehru the grave consequences. Lion of Kashmir brought Nehru under his spell from 1938 onwards to the extent that in May 1947 when he was arrested by the Maharaja for sedition, Nehru represented Sheikh as his lawyer and was even arrested in Jun 1947 by the Maharaja while trying to enter J&K. Finally Nehru had to eat the humble pie by arresting Sheikh Abdullah for sedition on 9 Aug 1953.

Maharaja Hari Singh The Maharaja saw an opportunity at the end of British Raj to keep Kashmir as the Switzerland of the East. Trying to repeat history when his ancestors – Maharaja Gulab Singh and Ranbir Singh gained handsome dividends by keeping aloof during the Sikh War and Great Mutiny, Hari Singh tried to sign a standstill Agreement with India and Pak at the time of independence, Pakistan signed, India declined. Maharaja died a lonely man, forced to abdicate and exiled from his beloved land.

The Drama Unfolds

Having finalized the text of Article 370 with Sheikh Abdullah, Nehru brought in Gopalaswamy Ayyangar, IAS, as a minister without portfolio to help him deal with Kashmir portfolio and plead the case of Article 370 in the Constituent Assembly. Gopalaswamy Ayyangar had been prime minister of Kashmir for six years with Maharaja Hari Singh. When Sardar Patel expressed his misgivings, this is what Nehru had to say on Dec 27, 1947.

“Gopalaswamy Ayyangar has been especially asked to help in Kashmir matters. Both for this reason and because of his intimate knowledge and experience of Kashmir, he had to be given full latitude. I really do not know where the States Ministry (Sardar Patel’s ministry) comes into the picture except that it should be kept informed for the steps taken. All this was done at my instance and I do not propose to abdicate my functions in regard to matters for which I consider myself responsible. May I say that the manner of approach to Gopalaswamy was hardly in keeping with the courtesy due to a colleague.”

It speaks volumes of Patel’s loyalty to a colleague that despite his own and others misgivings, he managed to convince the members of Constituent Assembly and Congress Party Executive. But to V Shankar he said “Jawaharlal Royega”.

The Sardar thereupon resigned and the matter fell in Gandhiji’s lap to bring the two colleagues together. During this period, V Shankar, IAS was the personal secretary to Patel and had maintained a record of all events. It is clear from these records that Nehru finalized the draft of Article 370 alongwith Sheikh Abdullah without even informing Patel. Thereafter it fell to Gopalaswamy Ayyangar to get the draft passed in the Constituent Assembly discussions. The proposal was torn to pieces by the Constituent Assembly and also Congress Party Executive.

Nehru, who was abroad at the time, swallowed his pride and rang up Patel and requested him to get the Article 370 approved It speaks volumes of Patel’s loyalty to a colleague that despite his own and others misgivings, he managed to convince the members of Constituent Assembly and Congress Party Executive. But to V Shankar he said “Jawaharlal Royega”. V Shankar, in his record has described the meeting of the Congress Executive Committee “The meeting was one of the stormiest I have ever witnessed barring the party meeting which discussed the proposition relating to Rajaji becoming the first President of Indian Republic. The opinion in opposition to Gopalaswamy’s formula was forcefully and even militantly expressed and the issue even brought in the sovereignty of the Constituent Assembly to draw up the Constitution without being tied down to the apron-strings of the Kashmir State Constituent Assembly. In such a situation even Maulana Azad was shouted down.

The Party was in uproar. The Sardar had to plead that because of the international complications, a provisional approach alone could be made leaving the question of final relationship to be worked out according to the exigencies of the situation and mutual feelings and confidence that would have been by then created. Once the Sardar had taken charge, all opposition to the draft was silenced” And how Nehru responded to this great act of loyalty on part of Sardar? On 24 July 1952, after Sardar was no more, Nehru made a detailed statement on Kashmir in the Parliament on slow integration of Kashmir into India Union and mentioned that “Sardar Patel was all the time dealing with these matters.” Even Gopalaswami Ayyangar was dismayed at this blatant lie and mentioned to V Shankar “It is an ill return to the Sardar for the magnanimity he had shown in accepting Panditji’s point of view against his better judgment.”

Consequences of Article 370

Article 370 has been the biggest impediment to integration of J&K State into Indian Union. That it was incorporated in the Indian Constitution by the machination of two individuals – Shiekh Abdullah and Nehru is all the more regrettable. Nehru had to eat the humble pie when he had to arrest the Sheikh for his divisive and anti national stance on 8 Aug 1953 but he did not let go of his concept of keeping J&K a separate entity. In 1957, some top leaders of National Conference led by Mr Qasim split the party and formed a group called Democratic National Conference (DNC).

Article 370, included in the Constitution on a temporary provision should have been gradually abrogated. This has not happened in sixty years.

It had abrogation of Article 370 on its agenda. Nehru would not brook any opposition to his policy of keeping J&K a separate entity. He told the leaders that a new threat (China) is emerging and it is an inopportune time to raise this issue and forced them to drop their demand. Nehru thereafter decided to withdraw the Kashmir conspiracy case against Sheikh Abdullah. This case had been going on since May 21, 1958. The formal orders however were issued by Govt of India on 8 April 1964.

It is often forgotten that J&K state is not a homogeneous entity. Apart from Valley Muslims, Jammu has a predominantly Hindu population while Ladakh has a mix of Buddhist and Muslims. Then you have the Gujjars & Bakarwals. Why is Article 370 detrimental to the full integration of J&K state into Indian Union. Firstly the Central Govt can make laws only with concurrence of the State govt, practically giving it the Veto power. Article 352 and 360 for declaration of national and financial emergency respectively cannot be applied in Kashmir. While a citizen of India has only Indian citizenship, J&K citizens have two citizenships. Anti Defection Law is not applicable to J&K. No outsider can buy property in J&K state.

The beneficial laws such as Wealth Tax, Gift Tax & Urban Land Ceiling Act and intermarriage with other Indian nationals do not operate in J&K State. Even Article 356 under which President of India can impose his rule in any state cannot be enforced in J&K without consent of the Governor who himself is an appointee of the President. State of J&K can refuse building of any cantonment on any site or refuse to allot land for defence purposes.

Article 370, included in the Constitution on a temporary provision should have been gradually abrogated. This has not happened in sixty years. In fact whenever someone mentions this, vested interests raise an outcry that legitimate rights of Kashmiris are being trampled upon. Stated agenda of National Conference is return to pre 1953 status. Why should a state of Indian Union have a special status? It conveys a wrong signal not only to Kashmiris but also to the separatists, Pakistan and indeed the international community that J&K is still to become integral part of India, the sooner Article 370 is done away is better.

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Article 370 of the Constitution of India

Temporary Provisions with respect to the State of Jammu & Kashmir

1. Notwithstanding anything in this constitution:

(a) The provisions of Article 238 shall not apply in relation to the State of Jammu & Kashmir.

(b) The power of Parliament to make laws for the said state shall be limited to

(i) those matters in the Union List and the Concurrent List which in consultation with the Government of the State, are declared by the President to correspond to matters specified in the Instrument of Accession governing the accession of State to the Dominion of India as the matters with respect to which the Dominion Legislature may make laws for that State and

(ii) Such other matters in the Said Lists as, with the concurrence of the Govt of the State, the President may, by order specify.

1. Explanation. For the purposes of this Article, the Govt of the State means the person for the time being recognized by the President as Maharaja of Jammu & Kashmir acting on the advice of the council of Ministers for the time being in office under the Maharaja’s Proclamation dated the fifty day of March 1948.

(c) The provisions of Article (1) and of this Article shall apply in relation to this State;

(d) Such of the other provisions of this Constitution shall apply in relation to that State Subject to such exceptions and modifications as the President may by order specify;

Provided that no such order which related to the matters specified in the Instrument of Accession of the State referred to in paragraph (i) of sub clause (1) shall be issued except in consultation with the govt of the State.

Provided further that no such order which relates to matters other than those referred to in the last proceeding proviso shall be issued except with the concurrence of the Govt of the State.

(2) If the concurrence of the Govt of the State referred to in para (ii) of Sub Clause (b) of Clause (1) be given before the Constituent Assembly for the purpose of framing the Constitution of the State is concerned. It shall be placed before such Assembly for such decision as it may take thereon.

(3) Notwithstanding the anything in the foregoing provisions of the article, the President may, by public notification, declare that this Article shall cease to be operative or shall be operative only with such exceptions and modifications and from such date as he may notify.

Provided that the recommendation of the Constituent Assembly of the State referred to in Clause (2) shall be necessary before the President issues such a notification.

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References

  1. India Betrayed – The Role of Nehru -Brigadier BN Sharma
  2. Lost Decades -Nani Palkhiwala
  3. Atish-E-Chinar -Sheikh Abdullah
  4. Partition Plan -Alan Campbell Johnson
  5. Correspondence of Sardar Patel -Durga Das
  6. Kashmir 1947 - Rival Versions of History -Prem Shankar Jha
  7. My Frozen Turbulence in Kashmir -Jagmohan
  8. My Reminiscences of Sardar Patel -V Shankar
  9. Appendix A – Article 370
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The views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions or policies of the Indian Defence Review.

About the Author

Maj Gen Sheru Thapliyal, PhD

served in the Regiment of Artillery and was awarded a Doctorate for his research & thesis on "Sino-Indian Relations".

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300 thoughts on “Article 370: The untold story

  1. This piece has been written by an Indian military officer. His biasness is so obvious. Cherry picking “references” do not make the article factual nor objective.
    The only solution to the Kashmiri problem is the implementation of the UN resolution calling for a plebiscite. And this should include the Pakistani-administered side as well.
    Let the Kashmiris decide their own future.
    Why is it so difficult for “democratic” India to fulfil the democratic rights of the Kashmiris, instead wants to force them to live under Indian occupation?
    How much longer must the Kashmiris suffer?

  2. Just think over ::::::
    With retreat of British the Princes were to leave their throne where ever they wished and it was the new Dominion to see how the areas a re ruled. What would have happen had Maharaja Hari Singh acceded to India Dominion before 14 August 1945 was for the Independent India government to see since Hari Singh would have no more remained the ruler. :::: !!!!!!!! Sure in case he would have done that India would not have refused. !!!!!! Think over it. It is just another question that has been agitating my wisdom in recent times.

  3. This article once again reinforces my belief (and perhaps that of millions of my fellow Indians) that Jawaharlal Nehru becoming and remaining India’s first PM was the biggest disaster for India post 1947. He was not even backed by CWC of Congress and 12 of 15 PCCs proposed Sardar Patel as PM with none backing Nehru. Mohandas Gandhi is also culpable in overruling the majority view in PCC/CWC and getting Nehru chosen as India’s 1st PM. MKG was an astute politician with his own agenda just Nehru had his, with both only cementing their place in India’s future, rather than work in national interest. Had Sardar Patel been India’s 1st PM, India would have not only avoided the vexed Kashmir issue for almost 70 years, but also emerged as a strong country with perhaps a permanent membership in UNSC which Nehru naively declined to accept. India has paid a heavy price for Nehru’s excesses, which until now had remained brushed under the carpet, with crony historians of Congress, like Romila Thapar, Irfan Habib, R Guha, etc. peddling Congress’ narrative of modern Indian history eulogizing both MKG and Nehru and whitewashing almost everyone else in the process, including equally tall leaders like Sardar Patel and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, among others.

    • Dear Sir,
      Nehru was not a back door entry into indian politics.He spent about 10years in British Jail as a freedom fighter. He was well aware of the past Indian history especially the Rulers and Kingdom.Indian Independence was not the result of struggle of a particular community.
      It is true that Sardar Patel and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar were top leaders in the struggle.But Moulana Azad was the only leader who led the freedom movement for 7 years.
      Nehru believed in pluralism and humanism and in true secularism.India which was led by Nehru for 17 years is still existing in the World.
      What about the mighty USSR? USSR has been divided into 15 nations.
      Leadership of Nehru is unquestionabe.
      Remember,the country owes to Nehru and Azad for the present prosperity and growth especially in the field of Education and Science and Technology.

  4. Now that the article has been scrapped, the next step is to win the confidence of the people back. Realtors may be discouraged to start their business now. Symbolically the Kashmiri Pandits should be brought back. They have the right to be residents with property rights too. Number of military barracks may be built there to house much of the army and paramilitary forces as residents. The side towards Pakistan may be reserved for this, and current occupants moved to alternate locations. Kashmir should also be used as a defense colony for all ex servicemen. This will give them the award of the Switzerland of the East as residential area, and enhance the presence of their establishments. The current restricted movement time should be better utilized to comb and isolate suspected militants.

  5. Dear author,
    In your very informative article, under the heading ‘consequences of article 370’, paragragh-3, you have mentioned JnK residents enjoy dual citizenship status under article 370. I need to know the truth about that. I have read several documents which brush off the concept of ‘Dual citizenship’ for JnK residents. Kindly throw light on that and let us know the reality behind that.

    Regards
    Sandeep Dogga

  6. JK is an integral part of India with an agreement I.e. With President of India .
    Later 370 was introduced on temporary bases.
    Many unlawful actions were taken by Irrlevent elelements on its strength , hence immediately by President’s order it should be removed for the better stronger integrity of JK India and prosperity the people there.
    All the unwanted elements should be forciblitly turned out of the state .
    No waiting is wanted but an immmediate cation wanted.

  7. this lawyer is telling almost correct but got struck how to remove Art 35A. kindly note my post how to remove Art 370 & Art 35 IS THE ONLY SOLUTION https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl2-ypC10p0 Thus to solve the J& K problem

    Solutions
    By

    Col Lamba

    A) Best way BJP must secure full majority in J&K.
    By way of shifting back Kashmiri pandits for voting ( original voters )
    B)Shift back personal with dual residency as it is illegal & irrelevant .Even SC has clarified
    C) People in J& K should be educated for benefits of scraping Art 370 & 35
    D) As per domicile act people living above 10 years become domicile so make their voter cards
    ( though j& k does not give permanent residency but is silent on voting rights for such people
    E) Scrutinize voter list & debar people holding dual cards or defective cards
    F) Stop subsidies from India to person not joining main stream as they are not contributor to tax kitty
    G) Similarly
    No Haj subsidies to people not joining main stream
    H) No development funds to area where person not joining main stream
    K) Job preference to person joining main stream
    L) Cancel all reservation
    M) Only merit will be criteria
    N) Unrecognize all institution not joining main stream including educational institution
    O) Punish media promoting unconstitutional norms
    P) Get majority in coming Election & scrap Art 370 & Article 35.

    Best of luck Can BJP function without allies even when it has clear majority of 303

    The answer by majority will be .Why not what else a part needs

    But political math is not that simple.

    Party has to carry allies

    1) In RS it has 73 seats & with allies 103 . But123 mark is minimal requirement.
    So allies are needed til 123 mark is solo achieved by BJP. Long journey ahead
    2) Allies in states have government & BJP has to depend on them to implementation of policies
    Thus no other way but to have dependence
    3)

  8. Everyone except perhaps a portion of Kashmir population agrees to the fact that article 370 is flawed. There is provision to abrogate the article. Now atleast we should take action on this.

  9. Article 370 is an insult to Patriots and commonmen of India. The so called 35A is not a legal constitutional section. It was an ordinance which is never approved by parliament. Jawaharlal got these lines pasted in constitution.Hence this can be scrapped by similar ordinance or Presidential promulgation.
    Arice 370 is descriminatory but fundamentalists and seperatist leaders of Kashmir will never like that these are scapped otherwise their blackmailing will reduce.

  10. Abrogating Article 370 is not beneficial for us, because it give us a Legal Right on Kashmir and due to this article, almost all countries are by Indian Side in United Nations.
    Even Pakistan wants India to abrogate Article 370
    Removing article 35A can be removed without any hassle and it is very much fruitful.

  11. All that the present government, or any government, has to do is to apply Clause C (3) “The President, may, by public notification, declare that THIS ARTICLE SHALL CEASE TO BE OPERATIVE…..”
    What prevents us from doing that?
    All this is required is political will to do it.

  12. Its appears that one can’t omit the role of Vallabhai Patel in introducing n mplementation of Article 370 along with Nehru, But the successor PMs of India could not see it (Article 370) as a temporary arrangement n it needs to be United with India. So I think All the successor PMs are to be blamed in this regard.

  13. Art 370 and 35A must be abolished because it is discriminatory and is the root of sedation . It gives the Pakistan and some political classes in India to pamper a demand for the frredom of J&K . By the same logic those traitors.would press for further disintegration of Indis.
    Ravi Sinha

  14. Article 370 should be removed for the betterment life of Kashmir people and the same law should be followed in all over the country. There should be no partiality with anyone are being citizen of India

  15. Article 370 should be abolished. Today they are demanding for independent Kashmir. They doesn’t want to become a part and parcel of India. They want all help and resources from India but they want to separate from India. Ultimately they will help pakisthan. Today they are encouraging the young generation to stand against India. Stone pelting, suicide attack, shelter to terrorists has become a serious problem to the soldiers. So it is my urge to abolish article 370 and give free hand to the army for intense search of terrorists and the supporters.Implement strict action against violent activities and restore peace in jammu and kashmir.

  16. काश्मीर भारत का अभिन्न अंग है।धारा 370 भारत के संविधान का सीधा सीधा दुरुपयोग, यह भेदभाव पूर्ण धारा है जो देश को तोड़ने में काम
    आ रही है,इसे तुरंत संसद का संयुक्त सत्र बुला
    कर तुरंत समाप्त करना चाहिए।

  17. excellent well researched highly educational article .Every Indian shd read it and understand y its important to be brutal and emotionless whn its nation.Sardars only mistake was trusting Nehru too much and giving him loose rope.Partially Gandhi was responsible for this behaviour of Sardar.I think Nehru also left us with the curse of Indus Water Treaty 1960

  18. देश से अलग किसी राज्य की कोई सत्ता नहीं होनी चाहिए।शर्मनाक है कि आज़ादी के70साल बीत गए पर 370की धारा अब तक कायम है।इस धारा का गठन ही एक षडयंत्र था।बहुत ज्यादा समय तक इस तरह का अलग विशेष अधिकार देकर हमने स्वयं आतंकवाद का रास्ता साफ रखा है।सारा देश अब एक है ,एक संविधान, एक तिरंगा ही अब मान्य है।

  19. Can anyone deny that the ONLY and ONLY reason Jammu and Kashmir is in India is because of Nehru and Nehru alone … The Boundary Commission had allocated District Gurdaspur to Pakistan, because it had Muslim majority. Nehru used his influence with Mountbatten to have view of the plans before they were made public. When Nehru saw Gurdaspur in Pakistan and no link between India and Pakistan he asked Mountbatten to have Gurdaspur allocated to India. Mountabatten because of his friendship with Nehru accepted the request and ordered to change the allotment of district to India. Had Gurdaspur district been allocated to Pakistan, there would have been no chance in hell that Jammu and Kashmir could be in India…

  20. भारत सरकार को अभी तत्काल संसद का संयुक्त सत्र बुलाकर अथवा एक अध्यादेश के माध्यम से धारा 370 और 35 ए को तत्काल प्रभाव से रद्द कर देना चाहिए। जब तक धारा 370 और 35 ए समाप्त नहीं होंगी कश्मीर की समस्या बनी रहेगी और हमारे सैनिक शहीद होते रहेंगे कश्मीर समस्या का स्थाई समाधान धारा 370 और 35a की समाप्ति से ही संभव होगा। जब राष्ट्र एक है तो पूरे राष्ट्र में कानून भी एक ही होना चाहिए यह पूरे राष्ट्र की आम जनता की मांग है और इसे अनदेखा नहीं किया जाना चाहिए भारत सरकार को तत्काल बिना समय गवाएं यह महत्वपूर्ण कदम उठाना आवश्यक हो गया है। धारा 370 और 35a हटने से ही कश्मीर की जनता आम भारतीय जनता के रूप में अपने को स्थापित कर सकेगी और कश्मीर का सभी तरह से विकास भारत के अन्य राज्यों की तरह हो सकेगा और वहां स्थाई रूप से शांति आ सकेगी।

  21. Remove article 370 as it is creating an adverse effects on my motherland.And of course Kashmir belongs to India so as its problems. So why not to start with some new changes by removing article 370 which is used as a benefits in wrong way.

    • Article 370 must be abolished immediately for Integration of J&K with India. Nehru be betryed India and was pivotal person and solely responsible for the mess created .Indian still suffers from his many stupidities.

  22. By adopting 370 we ourselves have distinguished the state. Let’s correct our past blunder mistakes. When it’s an integral part of India than no such useless & blunder article is required. What’s use of such article which stops us to install industry as we can’t purchase property & we than blame unemployment etc. Seriously it’s time to rectify mistakes by abolishing the article. No doubt our brave army is doing it’s great job, parallel constitutional approach should be taken to delete Artcle 370. One Nation Two constitutions is highly anomalous. Jai Hind….Akhand Hind.

  23. By adopting 370 we ourselves have distinguished the state. Let’s correct our past blunder mistakes. When it’s an integral part of India than no such useless & blunder article is required. What’s use of such article which stops us to install industry as we can’t purchase property & we than blame unemployment etc. Seriously it’s time to rectify mistakes by abolishing the article. No doubt our brave army is doing it’s great job, parallel constitutional approach should be taken to delete Artcle 370. One Nation Two constitutions is highly anomalous. Jai Hind….Akhand Hind.

  24. With present Govt functioning with absolute majority at center, it should not hesitate to scrap Article. 370 giving spl status and also converting all UT to be ruled independently removing spl status of UT Under a puppet governor remote controlled by Govt at center misusing their power against the interests of that State/UT / its people progress & welfare

  25. J&K is a part of India and should enjoy the same status as other states. Giving special status has not helped but acted detrimental to the progress of the state. By removing article 370, J&K people will have investments and growth opportunities from rest of India, contributing to their prosperity and getting away from the influence of pseudo-sympathisers.

  26. Article 370 is cause of all bloodshed ….now or never…..the Govt at present is strong enough to deport other religions in Kashmir which will neutralize Muslim majority and it will function as other states of India .Our next concern is stop Chinese interference.

  27. As far as I know, the constitution is a living document, not a frozen or unalterable text. It can always be altered by the agreement of the majority of states. So why it is not being done?? Is it because India is on the assailable ground with regards to Kashmir? If so then admit it and get out of Kashmir. To stay in limbo is like living with a rotten leg which properly can be treated by amputation. So India what ails you? Could you admit what you are laboring with your quietude? A great nation and great people do not live in dissimulation. What is your long term plan?? Let us hear it or else will lose pride on India.

  28. Abrogate Article 370 in the interest of India as it will allow other religion citizens of India to settle in Kashmir and this balance the religious imbalance. Let the Muslims become minority there in real sense. Theis will facilitate return of Kashmiri Hindus to Kashmir.

  29. Remove article 370 ,what this article have done for Jammu and Kashmir ,nothing more than poverty,all youngsters go to other parts of India ,looking for jobs and opportunities,let other Indians to come and live in Jammu and Kashmir ,let them invest in this part of India ,we people of jammu need development .

  30. Kashmir was is & always be a part of India. Let peace be restored in the city. . Abolishment of Article 370 is a must. The young generation are the future. We don’t want them to choose a wrong path. Hence, the Govt should help in the development of the city & provide more employment opportunities. We want to see Kashmir as a terrorist free city.

  31. Absolute urgency required in totally abolishing section 370,
    Whuch would then develop Kashmir, increase employment to the local youths and hence they would not be distracted into getting
    Into wrong organisations. Uts a must for the security and development if our country.

  32. With industrialization will increase the job opportunities for youth.. this will give Them good income to support their families. Youth will not be misled by these cheap terrorists to participate in an act of utter cruelty. JAI HIND

  33. In my opinion there is nothing wrong with an arrangement like article 370 where the power of the central govt is restricted. In the U.S, the states have the same powers as the J&K govt, and there is no threat to the union.
    In india the states have very limited power. Of course many states are badly governed but the fact is they have very little power other than policing power.
    In fact there is no harm in extending article 370 to every state in the country eventually.

  34. Kashmir is in India because of Nehru and Nehru alone. Sardar Patel tried to give it away to Pakistan. Claim of “inclusion of plebiscite in the Instrument of Accession” is a false. Maharaja Hari Singh signed the exact form of Instrument of Accession that was signed by 560 other monarchs. There was nothing wrong with going to UN which was a parallel effort to get PoK back peacefully. By making these claims, likes of Maj Gen Sheru Thapliyal have helped Pakistan and legitimized the separatists. If Patel really said “Jawaharlal Royega” it exposes his immorality but I’m sure V. Shankar was lying. If Patel really thought Article 370 was bad and still helped legislate it, it proves that Patel was as guilty as anybody else. His loyalty to colleagues does not mitigate harm to the nation. That in fact would confirm Nehru’s claim that Patel has been involved in Kashmir matters all along.

    • If Sardar Patel colludes with Nehru and enables Nehru do all these terrible things that destroy India which the country can never recover from, it is all Patel’s virtue of “loyalty to a colleague”. If a South India Krishna Menon did the same thing, he is sycophant, corrupt, communist and traitor. All these stories interestingly have an evil South Indian like Rajaji, Gopalaswamy Aiyengar, his son G. Parthasarathy or KM Panikkar who mislead Nehru and destroy India!

  35. Nice Article and very informative.

    As on date what is the solution for J& K to become integral part of India in full with regions occupied by Pak / China.

    Many Challenges

    1. Article 370 – withdrawal of special status to J& K.
    2. Abolish all separate laws / Rules / penal codes / Resident certificates
    3. Withdrawal of Pak troops from POK, so that UN will decide on vote about the situation of K& K.
    4. For this we need Assertive- Home minister / Defence Minister / Prime Minister/ President / J& K Governor with uniform conviction to resolve J& K and take it on aboard with no special status

  36. We are a bunch of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.
    Your site provided us with valuable info to work on. You
    have performed an impressive process and our entire community will be grateful to you.

  37. Sir a very good article. We also need a viewpoint of lawers as Omar Abdullah said recently that abrogation of Article 370 is legally not possible. Would be great if you can throw some light on it

  38. As per One Country, One Nation & One Constitution Principal, India Should Have All States and Citycens should have Equal Status, Constitution, State or Local or any Other Laws Contarary to This Belifs should be subsidary to this law.
    As Such Article 370 of Indian Constitution should be abrogated, ammended, reduced or relinquished or nullified.
    There Should Not be Two different Status Nationalities For the Sons and Daughters of One Nation.
    Things which are left to be done should be don imidialy at Indian Parliament Level before any further delay so call thumping majority governments as of today can easily do this, easily do the same.

  39. WHAT WAS THE ALTERNATIVE LEFT BEFORE THE THEN GOVT OF INDIA OTHER THAN ACCEPTING 370 FOR BRING KASHMIR INTO UNION OF INDIA?
    IS CLAUSE 370 DOES EXIST FOR KASHMIR ONLY? DOES NO OTHER STATE OF INDIA ENJOY THIS CLAUSE ?

  40. Speaking directly against our historical heros is like DOING BLUNDER against country…..
    Even then i would like to express my view on this……
    BEFORE 15th Aug 1947 work done by gandhi was salutable… But after that it cas it so critical n mysterious to understand and explain….
    IF WE LOOK AT REASON OF KASHMIR CONFLICT ……it seem that it is cause jst because of PREPLANNED ACTIVITY …OF NEHRU …GHANDHI….SEIKH ABDULLAH…..I COULDNT UNDERSTAND WHY NEHRU KEPT OUT OUR IRON MAN FROM KASHMIR ISSUE WHILE HE WAS A HOME MINISTER….
    EVEN INDO PAK PARTITION IS JST A CAUSE OF MOTILAL NEHRU…AS I HAVE LISTEN THAT JAWAHAR LAL & JINHHA BOTH WERE BROTHER…..

  41. Indian politicians are feared they cant think about aggressive thinking, aggressive countries are always progress and developed.Pakistan policies are much better than us. When we compare our countries with Pakinstan that is very shamful thing.
    Whenever we should compare to himself USA, RUSSIA,FARNCE CHINA etc.

  42. Dear friends, try to search word NEHRU, whether it is name, surname or anything.
    I bet you can’t find, bcoz there was nothing like NEHRU anywhere in the world.
    They were kabali from Afghanistan, but it is erased from history.
    Search on internet, you will find lots of articles stating the same.

  43. these article are treat to our history and learning lessons for those in power. Amazing article to read thanks to Maj Gen Thapliyal.

    Now is the time to take actions and keep silent like china do. Create vision , have goal set and keep working on it till achieve it even if whosoever government comes in power but the vision and goal should not change.

    Remove Article 370 lets see what’s happen how many will revolt let them do what they can do and we know our goal will keep doing it tooo even with more determination.

  44. Ref :Article 370: The untold story
    Dear Maj Gen Sheru Thapliyal
    Greetings. I congratulate you for writing such a wonderful article on Kashmir issue, packed with historical and legal facts.
    People say Neheru and Sheikh Abdullah were genetically related. Is that a correct fact.?
    Keep writing on Kashmire in FACE BOOK. Let others know the truth
    Prof P.K.Pattnaik

  45. just an idea. when the entire state of Jammu & Kashmir has acceeded to India, the assembly that sits in Srinagar is not the assembly that is envisaged in article 370. the assembly that is envisaged in article 370 would include representatives of that part of kashmir that is under Pakistani occupation. Thus, a Sadr e Riyasat recognized by the President of India, on the advise of the Union Cabinet, can abrogate article 370. the assembly that sits in Srinagar is not fully representative of J&K state, and has no role in deciding the fate of article 370.

  46. Excellent write up with detail info. I wish Nehru was alive to see the mess he has put us in. Non the less we can always mend for the welfare of peopleofkashmir .
    All those opposing for removal of artical have SELF INTEREST & NOT THE WELFARE OF KASHMIR . MUSLIM POULATION IN DIFFERENT PART OF INDIA IS MORE THEN PAKISTAN.

  47. This seems to be the gist of the the whole Art 370. Nehru was a very power hungry, pseudo secular and shameless fellow who even betrayed Gandhi after he got power (PM post which was otherwise to go to Sardar Patel). Moreover , Nehru was a Muslim and Sheikh Abdulla was his bastard brother. That is why he brought Sheikh Abdulla with Special power under Art 370. Even Dr. B.R. Ambedkar had refused to sign the propoosal of Art 370 and Aiyangar had helped . Nehru hemself went to UNO and cease fire occurred, otherwise Sardar Patel warned Nehru not to go to UNA as he will drive out the invaders of Kashmir from today’s POK with days, but nehru did not stop. Today which we are fcing ini Kashmir is the problem given by Nehru .

    Sir, you have dealt it in quite a nutshell. Tku.

  48. The Constitution (Application to Jammu & Kashmir) Order, 1954 C.O. 48 was issued in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of article 370 of the constitution, by order of the President, so as to add a new Article 35A in the Constitution of India. For nearly 6 decades nobody has that particularly looked into the criticalities of the constitutional aspect of issuing the said order. In recent years questions have been raised against Union of India for having unduly and unconstitutionally overstretched the jurisdiction as available under Art 370 (1) of Constitution of India to the extent of not only amending the constitution but even to violate its basic principles and the spirit that can not be overstepped even by the Parliament of India under the provisions of Article-368 of COI (Power of Parliament to amend the Constitution and procedure therefor ) in exercise of its constituent power to amend the constitution by way of addition, variation or repeal of any provision of the constitution in accordance with the procedure laid down in the said article.

  49. The handling of the K issue by india is the worst possible that could have been done by any nation in 60 years time wherein generations change. Even going by the Article 370 lot could have been done still. There are loopholes that could have been exploited as part of a national policy but sadly wasnt done . The article since its inception has been weakened to great extent. To blame the article only for all Indian misdoings or undoings in valley is not correct. We dint have a policy in place has contributed equally. I wonder what is the policy now and how we look at the situation. Hope we are out of fools paradise now.

  50. This article 370 agreed between J&K Raja Hari singh and Govt. of India also temporary, not with Omar Abdulla. After made this agreement kahmir majority muslims looted minority hindu’s houses killed millions of hindus and occupied their properties, many of hindus flee Kashmir. Majority muslims gave room to Pakistan terrorists. it is very very serious matter . so definitely this aarticle 370 should pull back from Jammu and Kashmir

  51. Patel first agreed along with Nehru to the partition of India, convinced Gandhi to accept partition (who till then was refusing to allow it) and then united the so divided India. This is the complete picture.

    Of course, questioning the role of Patel in the partition of India is a taboo topic, given his image as the Iron Man of India across all party lines.

    But the fact is, Kashmir issue is the baby of partition of India and the two nation theory.

    Article 370 is the direct result of partition of India and the Instrument of Accession of the Kingdom of Jammu & Kashmir to India.

  52. 370 is no longer relevant.

    Why not and what music?The verdict of people in the state elections have clearly endorsed the difference of opinion on the subject amongst the Kashmir Valley and rest of the State.Does that mean that a handful of population can take the whole Nation for a ride ?What ‘SIN’have other states of the Union committed in that case?Let us get over the phobia of so called MUSIC.

    In fact it is other way round.Keep 370 and keep facing the music indefinitely.Nonsense must end.

  53. It is high time we repeal the article.

    Article 370 is very much relevant there.Outsiders cannot buy land nor inter state marriage is entertained.State assembly cannot be dissolved by the President of India under article 356 like other states.It has its own flag and Constitution. Defence est cannot come up without State’s concurrence.It enjoys all benefits like an indep State.If it is to be treated like a State of the Union of India, all special powers now being extended to be withdrawn. Then see the Music!!

  54. So strong was the hold that the dreadful Nehru had on the media and the Indian intelligencia that it was virtually a sin to say anything against him. I as a 6 year old was given a thrashing at school for saying the I liked holidays better than I liked Nehru. The alleged sacrifices made by his dreadful father were entirely illusory; in reality, not much was given to the nation. Both Motilal and Jawaharlal were loyal to the British crown and only switched sides when they saw the writing on the wall that India was headed for independence. Readers may be interested in comparing Nehru to Stalin: well after Stalin’s death, nobody dared to speak against his excesses. It took a brave Kruschev to denounce Stalin who had long been dead. Similarly, nobody dare speak out against Nehru’s disastrous war against China inb which thousands of ill equipped, ill trained, ill armed and starving India soldiers bravely sacrificed their lives for India. Even today the Brooks-Henderson report is kept under wraps. Nobody dares to comment that it was Nehru who was in charge when millions of people, both Hindu and Muslim lost their lives during partition. Nobody dares to comment that it was Nehru who was largely responsible for that partition. The fact the his useless descendants, Indira, Sanjay, Rajiv (and wife Sonia), Rahul and Priyanka have been disastrous for our nation. Indira for the emergency, Rajiv and Sonia for their corruption, Sanjay for his excesses during emergency, Rahul for being a pathological idiot and Priyanka for enabling husband Bobby Vadra to loot the nation. True independence will only come about when the entire family and the sycophants who surround it are obliterated. One only has to see the aggressive, boorish characters such as Mani Shankar Aiyar, Digvijay Singh, Manish Tiwari, Renuka Choudhury, Sheila Dikshit, Ambika Soni and various others jump to defend every action that is attributed to the family. India suffers and should be ashamed!

  55. The views expresssed by u are vry correct and legitimate.Article 370 was the creation of only two people and how come we have approved and follow this law till now.jammu nd kashmir can become an integral part of india only whn the article 370 is withdrawn.

  56. Sir,
    I was given to understand that initially Nehru wanted Dr Ambedkar to draft the provisions. Ambedkar replied ” I do not wish to be a traitor to the nation”. How far is this true? G Iyengar’s successive generations must be in the IAS /IFS – a little thank you from JLN – it is in order is it not.
    Incidentally when Motilal Nehru wanted Jawahar Lal to work in Tej Bhadur Sapro’s office as a junior pleader do you know what is the reply he received” your son is not worthy of being a clerk in my office”.
    General LP Sen in his book “slender was the thread” was very appreciative of Bakshi Gulam Mohammed and Dhar during the crises. I think Abdulla was more of a pain.

  57. Mr Farooq Abdulla,
    PLEASE ANSWER US:- Which country do you belong to ? I mean which country’s passport do you hold? Are you Indian? or Are you not Indian?, if you are not Indian then we would like to know which country do you call yourself patriot of? , if you are not a patriot who sacrifices everything for the honor of this country India, is it fair to say you are a traitor of India? when Pakistan sent their men to invade Jammu and Kashmir, why you did not fight on the border of Jammu & Kashmir with the soldiers and protect your precious Jammu & Kashmir state by yourself and with your men, why in 1947 your King Hari singh came begging to India for help? where were you and your father at that time, why both of you didn’t fight in the front line on J & K border, your father sent you to study Medicine in London (was that a free seat)????, why you didn’t get admission in any medical college in India????
    It is the blood of which you call “REST OF INDIA” is standing on the cold, hot border of J & K , so that you can lay on the cozy bed in London and issue a statement , that Article 370 is the “law that connect J & K to India”.
    The Rest of the Indians should sacrifice their life to protect your state J&K , but they should not buy land their, they should not do business there, and if they marry a girl from J &K she looses right on the properties of her ancestor, For example why don’t you comedown and protect Tamil Nadu or Maharashtra or West Bengal or Punjab and in the process be ready to loose your life, and they don’t let you do business or own land there or if you marry their daughter, she looses the right to her land and property, is this how you want to be treated by the rest of India(which you call so) . WILL YOU AND THE REST OF THE CLANS IN JAMMU & KASHMIR GROW UP? Do you know because of Article 370 people from Jammu & Kashmir are afraid to live in the rest of India, because they are concerned about the backlash and alienation they show to the rest of India in J & K , will be paid back to them in rest of India? you call you yourself a doctor, haven’t you heard of reverse psychology? IT CAN BE PROVED BEYOND DOUBT THAT YOU AND YOUR CLAN WANT TO ISOLATE AND ENSLAVE THE PEOPLE OF JAMMU & KASMIR.
    IT IS SHAMEFUL THAT THE PEOPLE OF J & K ARE VOTING FOR YOU AND YOUR CLAN INCLUDING THE PSUEDO BRAVE HINDU RAJPUTS IN J & K WITHOUT REALISING THEY ARE BEING ENSLAVED BY YOU AND YOUR CLAN.
    I CHALLENGE THE PEOPLE OF JAMMU & KASMIR TO COMPETE WITH PEOPLE FROM THE REST OF INDIA IN YOUR STATE AND DEFEAT THEM IN EDUCATION, SPORTS, JOBS, BUSINESS, AND LET YOUR J&K GIRLS CHOOSE YOUR STATE BOYS FOR MARRIAGE OVER THE REST OF THE INDIA AND SHOW THAT YOU ARE SUPERIOR CLASS, WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF????, IF YOU DON”T WANT THE REST OF INDIA TO CHALLENGE YOU J&K PEOPLE in J&K THEN I AM SORRY TO SAY THAT I AM FORCED TO CONSIDER YOU ARE COWARDS AND SLAVES OF YOUR FALSE IMAGE AND FEAR,
    BUT IF YOU PEOPLE OF JAMMU & KASHMIR DID DECIDE TO BREAK SHACKLES OF ARTICLE 370 SLAVERY CHAIN AND WANT TO FREE YOURSELF, BE REST ASSURED THE REST OF INDIA WILL ADMIRE YOUR BRAVERY, YOUR MORAL INTEGRITY AND YOUR PATRIOTISM IF YOU ARE REALLY INDIAN CITIZENS, THE INDIANS FROM INDIA AND ALL OVER THE WORLD WILL BE PROUD OF YOU. ABOVE ALL GOD WILL REWARD YOU BECAUSE IT IS A JUST CAUSE AND A MORAL THING TO DO!!!!

    • I m d resident of JK nd proudly call myself INDIAN bt who d hell r U to call d people f jk coward.. Like U ppl v r also against this separate identity bt U dnt hv ny right right to pass derogatory coments on d ppl f jk..Why dnt u stand up for d ppl f jk nd protest in front f PMO to address d grviences f ppl f jk. We r also suffering bt v r helpless So it z bettr fr ppl lyk u nt do commentry on d issues without hving d knowledge f ground situation….
      Thanks

  58. It is high time that we had an open debate on Article 370 in the parliament. Those who believe abrogating it would mean trampling over the rights of the Kashmiris, present your case. Never in the history was such a foolish arrangement made jeopardizing national security of over a billion people by a handful of Indian leaders based on politics. Sixty years have passed despite the fact that it was considered a temporary agreement when signed. Look over the damages. Article 370 has facilitated an anti-Indian governance in the state where each political party shouts separation from India, louder than the next one. The enemy across the border has found this to be a perfect arrangement for infiltration and subversive activities. The Indian government seems to be powerless, continues to pump enormous doles from the exchequer to keep the state afloat and has nothing to show. Kashmir state laws preventing ownership of property by people from outside the state have essentially guaranteed the economic development near zero. On a broader scale, India’s Pakistani sponsored terrorism has been rooted in Article 370. It has legitimized Pakistani agents in Kashmir under the cover of ‘separatist’ who are funded and fueled by the enemy. It is disingenuous on part of Omar Abdullah to turn his back on India on the matter of abrogation of Article 370. For India to move forward, national integration from North to South and East to West is a fundamental necessity. The debate to abrogate Article 370 must proceed full steam ahead, lawfully and openly, in the halls of the parliament. If a constitutional amendment is required for abrogation, so be it. The Indian state of Kashmir is not just a piece of geography in the far North, it is a frontier where India faces eye-ball to eye-ball, not one but two mortal enemies of the largest secular democracy in the world.

  59. The article has thrown light on many aspects of Art.370 to make it easy to understand what it is all about.It is true Nehru wanted to please Sheikh Abdullaha who wanted to be the ruler of Kashmir (sultan of kashmir ) as refered to by Lala Jagat Nayrian of Hind samachar.This Article is discrimanator in nature gives valley upper hand ignoring the other parts of the state . The representation formula for parliment and state assembly are different for valley and different for Jammu . The discrimination breeds under provisions of this articles as result there is discontentment amoung people of Jammu and Ladakh .

  60. Till I went thro your article I had a hazy idea abt Kashmir issue. Thanks for illuminating the issue and the individuals behind the scene. However, article 370 you could have put in your narrative for easy understanding of readers, in addition to the legal text of this Act. Thanx all the same.

  61. POLITCS OF APPEASEMENT AND VOTEBANKS BY CONGRESS PARTY FOR LAST 65 YEARS HAVE RUINED THE COUNTRY AND BROUGHT HER PERIOUSLY CLOSE TOWARDS NEW PARTITIONS WHICH MAY HAPPEN IN NEXT 15 TO 25 YEARS .FROM 130 MILLION THE POULATION WITH FOUR MARRIAGES AND TWENT CHILDREN HAS INCREASED TO 200 MILLION . THE WRITING IS ON THE WALL.

  62. It is a shame that Article 370 a temporary provision in constitution is still not abrogated. Let us consider it as deemed to be abrogated with retrospective effect now without any further loss of time.

  63. his emotional card to win over Mr Gandhi to show his attachment with Kashmir and least to say about recommendation for Mountbatten due to his own emotional attachment with the Lady.When did this family could take a correct decision on issues like Khalistan problem,Tamil eelam issue

  64. I’ m Cadet Under Officer Samrat , from 3mah-sig-coy. I respect Officer’s view so he has faced implications while serving there. i support his view and aloso request govt. to do action.

  65. An educative and informative article, very well composed. Congratulations.
    Now i must say that since independence we had this attitude of appeasement and a particular set of people or a family ensuring their fiefdom,just because they left barrister ship or high plum jobs at abroad , and were made to join this growing business opportunity in freedom fight, which they speculated well ,for the future of their kith and kins.Under no stretch of imagination the Nehru family can ever be called as having any foresight with a nationalistic feeling.It is well known fact how mr Nehru played his cards for ousting Netaji ,forcing his emotional card to win over Mr Gandhi to show his attachment with Kashmir and least to say about recommendation for Mountbatten due to his own emotional attachment with the Lady.When did this family could take a correct decision on issues like Khalistan problem,Tamil eelam issue,Chakma bangladeshi issues,in the domestic front during 1970s the Naxal issue and so on and so forth.They only gave birth and rise to Bhindranwale,Prabhakaran and now Vadhera.
    The need and greed is never satiated of this family and for their survival they will lay their life to keep such controversies alive.
    Coming to this outdated article of appeasement called 370, what difference it made in the lives of general kashmiris. After annexation how much peace prevailed and what solution it provided to the kashmir issue, which is sucking the exchequers money and the blood.This bone of contention had taken many lives of citizens of this sub-continent but for what result! If you keep pampering a child even at adolescence he will turn out to be a brat only. Such is the state of Kashmir.It is high time that general kashmiris must wake up and stand up with great will and self pride to walk on their own feet ,rather asking for a creche ,like a lame.Does it nt reflect a poor self esteem of the kashmiris asking for favours only and find themselves unable to contribute significantly in the

    • I really do not know whether the person is so knowlegibile to comparef Bhindranwale and Prabhakaran.

      Bhindranwale was created out of political compultions.. but Prabhakaran was not created for such reasons. It was the operasive policy of Sri Lankans which gave birth to the civil war in Sri Lanka.

      Again we failed to protect and get the legitimate rights to the Tamil populations over there. we misrubly failed in this front and now we are worring about China’s entry in Sri Lanka..
      We hail Prabhakaran for his contribution.
      .

  66. Gen Thapliyal Sahib has nicely laid the account in minimum words. But since a lot of controversies and myths have been cultivated due to non serious Delhi leaders we need to exercise more care while counting on our words keeping in view that some people have so far succeeded in unduly projecting Art-370 as a ‘sign of separatism’ .
    1.A plebiscite was not included in the Instrument of accession signed by Maharaja. 2.Article 370 constitutionally plays no part in preventing J&K from becoming an integral part of India. 3.Article-370 or no other text of COI says that J&K has constitutionally has a ‘special status’ 4. There no question of its getting eroded , in constitution itself it is laid as temporary with provision for repeal ( how is a different question ) 4.Sheikh Abdullah never got himself re designated as Sadar e Riyasat. 5. and the like need be mentioned with care.
    Daya Sagar sr Columnists and social activist daysagar45@yahoo.com

  67. Dear Maj Gen Sheru Thapliyal ,

    you have wrongly interpreted the Article 370. i would like to have an open debate with you on Article 370.

    waiting for you response,

    Advocate Sheikh Inam
    J&K HIGH COURT.

  68. We are very thankful to you for providing us good material on article 370. It provides us crystal clear knowledge upon it.
    I think article 370 is major reason of pakistani militant to attack on the jammu & kashmir. It is the major drawback of indian democracy. For the present government, the main objective should be removal of article 370 from the jammu & kashmir and try to immerse as the state of indian union.

  69. This article is an eye opener on Article 370. Because of some blunders created by our politicians earlier for their own benefit, we Indians are suffering now. This article needs to be scrapped immediately so that J & K finally becomes integral part of India.

  70. Article 370 is the reason why Kashmir never see any development and turning into a terrorist safe heaven like Pakistan.
    The most disturbing fact about 370 is no I dian can go and own property or settle there but kashmiri can co e to India and settle, any Pakistani can come settle there too. This is a reason the state never develops.
    Any uniform law not applicable in Kashmir and they still follow shariya law including polygami and child marriage legally.
    Because of article 370 Abdullah family believes Kashmir is their private propert.
    This article is so against democracy and non constitutional that I really don’t care what the more than 60 years treaty was, Indian government should remove this and established real democracy and uniform civil law there.
    Right now Abdullah government t is acting like Pakistani Army government just to keep their monopoly and power.

  71. Thanks Major.

    I really hope people get to read your page instead of show-off media bereft of any real content or details.

    Seeing the complexities of a democracy like this with so many mind games and deceptions played over for more than a century now, by so many different groups and people, I sometimes don’t have much hope. But then miracles can happen any time.

    My best wishes to you !

    Kind Regards,
    MC

  72. The mistakes done by Pt J L Nehru are serious in nature. Due to these mistakes the whole nation are suffering till date. In other hand, he also introduced good policies which were in the welfare of people were also worked as base of our growing economy as well as developing country. If we are getting benefits from the policies run by him and his leadership so we will also have to be suffer from his wrong policies and leadership because we are the people who elected him and given the right to take decisions on such issues.

  73. Respected Sir
    You have given much detailed information on the Article 370 by throwing light from historical perspective as to how this provisional arrangement of Article 370 came into being. But you haven’t even made a mention as to how even being chairman of the drafting committee of constitution, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar refused to constitute any such provision under article 370 on the advice of Pt. Nehru. He didn’t even participated in the discussion on this article in constituent assembly even when he discussed other articles. That day all the answers regarding this article 370 were given by Gopalaswamy Ayyanggar.
    Thanks!

  74. Article 370 is curse for India’s democracy as wellas security. It is very ridiculous that it has been ignored for such long time. Basically due to lack of political will. To get smoothness with pakistan China and terrorism it is ezsential that Indian Government should get hold o J&k. It should be discussed in parliament along with views of Army and experts.

  75. Article 370 was a lack of foresight of Pandit Nehru, who got influenced by Sheikh Abdulla, into getting this article drafted in the Constituent Asembly. It was a collosal failure of Nehru, who had only dreamt of curving out an International Image for himself. His move was wisely opposed by the then Law Minister, Baba Saheb Ambedkar, who minched no words in saying that it would be treaserous on his part to sign off in such an Anti India article. Nehru took the help of Sardar Patel to convince the Constituent Assembly , who against his own judgement decided to bail Nehru out of the mistrust the former Premier faced in the floor of the house. Nehru lacked foresight not only in his dealing in Kashmir, but also his Pancheel agreement with China leading to the Himalayan Blunder.

    Article 370 needs to be scrapped since J&K is an integral part of India, and in the interest of a Sovereign undivided India, the article 370 should be scrapped for good.

  76. Jammu and Kashmir became a part of India because the then the Maharaja of Kashmir Hari Singh signed the treaty to join the union of India. As such Kashmir is just an Indian state like other states.Therefore,there is no justification to make Kashmir a special state. Hence, article 370 of the Indian constitution should be abrogated

  77. Kashmir is part of India ,why we have to discuss about 370 all Indian have same right do not make different Hindu, Muslim etc.
    who love Hindustan he have right who hit Bharat he have no any right dozen matter he is Hindu.

  78. Nehru’s himalayan blunder in seeking UN intervention in December’48, at the very time Indian forces were gaining the upper hand & pushing back the Pakistani soldiers disguised as tribals, continues to bleed India dry nearly 70 years later ! Had Nehru exercised some patience and reined in his desire to be world statesman, the whole of Kashmir would’ve been Indian ! Nehru in his vainglorious bid to appease all, followed up with the Article 370, which remains an ugly scar on the face of India and goes against the very grain of a United India….One India ! One Nation !

  79. India and Indians are paying the price for Nehru’s wicked machinations. The best India can do is to ensure that Nehru’s decedents or the party he represented never gets to rule India again

  80. I can’t understand why so much fuss is being made of the procedure for abrogation of Article 370. Let us get it clear. Article 370 is a part of the Constitution of India. This means that the rules for amendment of the constitution invariably applies to this Article also..
    Article 370 says Article 238 (repealed in 1956) does not apply to J&K – hence irrelevant
    It restricts the power of the parliament to make laws for the state but does not state that the Article itself cannot be repealed!
    Hence to delete the Article 370, all that is required is a constitution amendment bill introduced in the parliament and passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of each House present and voting and a majority of the total membership of each House.
    As someone rightly said – It is difficult to conceive a simpler method of amending the Constitution!
    But then, it is equally difficult to convince the majority in the parliament since it is always party’s interest over that of the Nation.

  81. It’s really unfortunate that why, the govt. of that was not able to solve the issue. it’s just like that you had given the candy in child’s hand, and now asking to return back……if the things are in the hand of J&K assembly, and Rajya & Lok sabha….how it will get sorted out because J&K parties are already against it. and another question arises that “whats the need to given special treatment to J&K, why can’t we treat it as normal”?

  82. It is all Nehru blunders that India is paying for, for past 65 years. It must be stopped once and for all. Nehru has betrayed this nation in all his acts. He was a “Democratic Dictator” for most critical 17 initial years after the independence. And he masterly screwed up.

  83. Thanks Maj Gen Sheru Thapliyal for this brief article and helping us understand Article 370. I understand that the dirty politics of current India is a process of evolution which started with the first government of Independent India and the secular man Jawaharlal Nehru. Its unfortunate that loyal and Men of honor like Sardar Patel are forgotten for their incomparable contributions.

  84. we should create jammu including laddakh as separate state and kashmir another state with separete state assembly and other requirment as andhra has been divided . artcle 370 is is an unwisdom act of our ancester for which we are paying the price in terms of life and state.let 370 operate only in kashmir.it requires iron will on the part of republic.

  85. My question is does PoK has a similar special status article ? Which I am sure they do not have, why should Kashmir have it ? Another reason Article 370 has become redundant, as this was a “TEMPORARY” provision, so it should have been done away years ago.

  86. The people of Kashmir who tend to oppose Article 370 do not understand it fully. Once this is abolished, there will be tremendous progress in Kashmir. Instead of living on Indian Money they will earn a lot on their own. They will also get respect from Pakistan and also from the terrorist in POK.

  87. A370 has to become history. Please do not view this as anti muslim debate or political browny points issue. This is an issue of our Indian interests. When we speak day and night like a parrot that Kashmir is an integral part of India then why this article. Why it has to be treated differently from any other states of India. Kashmiri politicians have been fooling Kashmiris for the last 70 years. They talk of Kashmiriyat but they never talk about the Hindus that had to leave the state because of terrorism. Why they could not be protected. Nobody even talk about re-settling them. Their homes have been looted and burnt in Kashmir. We have to come together to support them. Lets bring backtheir long due respect. We have played in the hands of terrorists instead of giving them a tough answer. Jai Hind!!

  88. Thank you Maj ThapliyaI. It is high time that we had an open debate on Article 370 in the parliament. Those who believe abrogating it would mean trampling over the rights of the Kashmiris, present your case. Never in the history was such a foolish arrangement made jeopardizing national security of over a billion people by a handful based on politics. Sixty years have gone by since this document was created, despite the fact that it was considered a temporary agreement when signed. Look over the damages of this idiotic act. Article 370 has facilitated an anti-Indian governance in the state where each political party shouts out political, religious and ethnic separation from India, louder than the next one. The enemy across the border has found this to be a perfect arrangement for infiltration and subversive activities. The Indian government seems to be powerless, continues to pump enormous doles from the exchequer to keep the state afloat and has nothing to show for all the investments. Kashmir state laws preventing ownership of property by people from outside the state have essentially guaranteed the economic development near zero. On a broader scale, India’s Pakistani sponsored terrorism has been rooted in Article 370. It has legitimized Pakistani agents in Kashmir under the cover of ‘separatist’ who are funded and fueled by the enemy. It is disingenuous on part of Omar Abdullah to turn his back on India on the matter of abrogation of Article 370. For India to move forward, national integration from North to South and East to West is a fundamental necessity. The debate to abrogate Article 370 must proceed full steam ahead, lawfully and openly, in the halls of the parliament. If a constitutional amendment is required for abrogation, so be it. The Indian state of Kashmir is not just a piece of geography in the far North, it is a frontier where India faces eye-ball to eye-ball, not one but two mortal enemies of the largest secular democracy in the world

  89. I totally agree to all the information you have given in this article and even i was known to most of it, but i could not understand one thing that why our own PM (nehru ji) was trying to destruct our future.
    Why “we” the people of this country always choose such persons to be our leaders who do such wrongful acts.
    Its been more than 60 years since we got our independence but more than 80% of our political leaders were corrupt or pervert.
    Why is it that anyone who comes into power is proven to be wrong choice?

  90. Article-370 is an integral part of the constitution, which has made Kashmir an integral part of India. Attacking this article is an anti-national act, because this is equivalent to attack the constitution. War does not start in the battlefield. War starts in politics. This is impossible and absurd, that union ministers will declare civil war against Kashmir and Kashmir ministers will control it. Those who are declaring civil war against Kashmir everyday, in the form of attacking article-370, they have to come forward to take the load of civil war, including load of refugees.

  91. After so many wars over J&K and the decision of people of the J&K region to stay on the India side of the de facto border, has made the referred to article irrelevant after the wars. Wars have decided which parts of J&K are integral part of India, and the PoK part with the occupiers should be taken back by India if there are any moves made against India by anyone.

  92. sir the whole article is full knowlegde, untold truth. after reading this whole article and even before reading this article one question arises in my mind that is what would happen if indian govt forcefully integrate the jammu and kashmir and make a part of indian union? what stops indian govt in doing so? please answer

    • It will only weaken India’s image at the International stage, we will be called a aggressive invader. I totally agree that article 370 should be demolished as soon as possible, but we must try to get it done through democratic and parliamentary ways, and must refrain from any type of violence. It will be great if Govt.Of India officially launches some programme (through TV, Newspapers,city-village level conferences and debates) both in J&K and India to explain, educate and convince people that how article 370 has only hindered growth and prosperity in J&K, and how state will do much better after its truly complete integration with India. Also we must make sure that NC & PDP people dont use this issue as a political rhetoric.

  93. Opposition to Article 370 in the Indian Constitution : Ambedkar was against Article 370 in the Constitution, which gives a special status to the State of Jammu and Kashmir, and it was put against his wishes. Balraj Madhok reportedly said, Ambedkar had clearly told Sk. Abdullah: “You wish India should protect your borders, she should build roads in your area, she should supply you food grains, and Kashmir should get equal status as India. But Government of India should have only limited powers and Indian people should have no rights in Kashmir. To give consent to this proposal, would be a treacherous thing against the interests of India and I, as the Law Minister of India, will never do it.” Then Sk. Abdullah went to Nehru, who directed him to Gopal Swami Ayyangar, who approached Sardar Patel asking him to do something as it was a matter of prestige of Nehru, who has promised Sk. Abdullah accordingly. Patel got it passed when Nehru was on foreign tour. On the day this article came up for discussion, Ambedkar did not reply to questions on it though he did participate on other articles. All arguments were done by Krishna Swami Ayyangar

  94. As long as we have Art 370 J and K will remain an open issue and Pak will keep raising this issue at different fora. like rest of the country Indian Constitution should prevail here too.

  95. article 370 drafted with MAL intention to kill 5 lakh kashmiri pandits kill the maharaja of kashmir. and agaist indian democracy rule, abdullas dynasty want to rule for ever join hands with pakisthan ( create terrotists) and attack india every often..

    first scrap this 370 and protect india..

  96. Its all about accession of land to the so called democratic Indian Nation, but nobody is willing to know what people of that land want.
    Nations are creates by the people and are destroyed by the people as well.

    Abrogate Article 370 (destroys Kashmir)
    Keeping it (Saves it)

    .
    As for as author of this volume is concerned. He is a die hard Indian, their is no way he would be thinking for the benefit of Kashmiris.
    Better keep ur (Indian’s) ass on ground rather being kicked of from Kashmir.

    • “As for as author of this volume is concerned. He is a die hard Indian”…
      yes,he is and a proud one at that, you are nothing but a leacher sucking off the blood of this nation and licking the boots off the other one. its’ YOU and the likes of you who should be kicked off the face of the land coz your breed belongs nowhere,,neither in India nor in Pak!!

    • The letter ofaccession by the king of kashmir was given to the Republic of India…so there is no question offering its people their opinion…Nehru made a blunder…well as we saw many blunders…historically, culturally and geographically kashmir was, is and will be a part of India…as mentioned in the Indian constitution itself, article 370 is a temporary provision…
      Just because the population is majority Muslim and genocide carried out on kashmir pundits doesn’t make it a Pakistan state…

  97. For real progress in Jammu & Kashmir… few ducks have to fall in to place, with…

    1. concerted efforts to better integrate J & K into the overall fabric of India… and… for that to be accomplished…

    2. fabric of India, overall, needs to be strengthened by rejuvenating what is means to be an Indian… defining progress as not just more “bells and whistles” carried over from the west… but strong emphasis on virtues and core values espoused in all faiths… and for that to happen…

    3. political establishments across the nation need to unified in pursuit of such goal… and for that happen…

    4. each and every one who calls for India to be a strong entity… needs to embrace such value system in their own daily lives… and make concerted effort to live by the same.

  98. “The Maharaja saw an opportunity at the end of British Raj to keep Kashmir as the Switzerland of the East” – this is just this author’s imagination. I have read somewhere (also in Dalvi’s book?) the Maharaja insisted at the time of partition that Sialkot must belong to India, otherwise he could not join the Indian Union. The reasoning was obvious, at that time all the railroad connection to Kashmir passed through Sialkot. Without Sialkot, road communication with Delhi would disappear. There is a parallel here – right after partition the connection to Assam was by air-link only (food supply etc). It took time for India to build road linking Assam to the mainland. Obviously, without Sialkot in Indian hands the Maharaja was left in lurches.

  99. Oh god what to tell this power hungry and bogus Naheru.. He ruined this country and still no body is coming to tell this openly against the contry.. How long we will be misrepresented by such a domish polititian and his ancestrors.. Pleasr please… someone make a film showing Sardar Patel and Naheru’s roll in the post independence the issues… Atleast now country’s this generation must know who was the hero and who was the villain?

  100. Those who have called Art-370 as a bridge to link J&K with India need to know that Jammu Kashmir Rajay acceded with India through Instrument of Accession as signed by Maharaj Hari Singh and not through any thing like Art-370. Maharaja Hari Singh has no where said in the accession document that it is being done after taking consent of the people of Jammu Kashmir ( ‘Kashmir Ghati’) and there was also no condition in the Indian Independence Act 1947 for such consent. In part-XXI of Constitution of India Art-370 is mentioned as Temporary Provisions wrt the State of Jammu and Kashmir, so do those who plead that Art-370 can not go or can not be amended mean to say that the Authors of Constitution of India had temporarily included J&K in territory of India? In case they opine so then any fair mind would surely take pity on them.It should also be understood that at Art 370( 1-c) it has been mentioned that the provisions of article I and of this article shall apply in relation to that State and it is not because Art-1 applies through Art-370 but Art-1 has been mentioned along with Article -370 there to demonstrate that Art-1 is totally an Indian Union subject ( Union subject) and no any clarifications / interpretations are to be made concerning any matter pertaining to Article-1 as has otherwise been made regarding other subjects to be seen as subjects of Union or State list.
    And there is no reference of grant of Special Status or Autonomy to J&K in article-370 or in any other chapter / article of Constitution of India.
    Had such issues been clarified in 1950s, there would have been no much controversies about J&K. Any how still corrections could be applied.
    As far as I know Sheikh was not appointed interim Prime Minister of J&K in 1947.
    daya sagar senior coloumnist / social activist dayasagr45@yahoo.com

  101. Sardar patel was also equally responsible for the mess if he indeed as the article suggests, decided to convince the parliament of the usefulness of article 370. Sardar should have said no to Nehru.

  102. Maj Thapliyal’s comments are thought provoking. Why is India in this mess? Article 370 was a strategy debacle when the constitution was created. It has given special status to Kashmir for the last sixty years with no end in sight. Whether we accept it or not, it is being interpreted by the other side that India will turn Kashmir over to Pakistan when the time is ripe. The political parties in Kashmir are nothing more than agents of the enemy playing second fiddle to this notion. The appalling reality is that the duly elected members of the Indian government by their kowtowing the separatist are signaling Pakistan and the terrorists to continue on their terrorism path until Kashmir is handed over to them. We need a new direction and it cannot come from the foggy headed dhoti-prassads occupying the inner sanctum of the Delhi government

  103. Congress appeasement of minorities have run amok. Kashmir has enjoyed special treatment for the last 66 years. Make it a part of integral India by scrapping Article 370. Nowhere in the world this kind of lop sided blind support of a particular region is possible or even evident. Just because Mr. Nehru was born in Kashmir and he wanted to have it a sa part of India, he has to resort to this dastardly act. India can protect and save Kashmir even with out the Article 370.

  104. Article 370 was the most divisive idea of the foolish minds who were entrusted with the writing of the constitution. India today is reaping the misfortunes. Pakistan and China will continue to terrorize, brutalize and marginalize a nation of 1.2 billions because the nation is leaderless and article 370 is the excuse for terrorism in Kashmir. The first priority for India is to remove article 370 for the sake of national unity and security. This is an internal matter for India and no foreign nation can have any say. The people of Kashmir must be treated under the same constitution with individual freedom and rights as the rest of the nation. There is no basis for creating a separate status for a state of India that is one of the most strategic part of the nation in terms of defense, water source and national boundaries.

  105. Since independence India has spent billions of rupees on and thousands of her brave soldiers have lost their lives to keep Kashmir with India. Nehru was neither
    a man with vision nor competent to lead a nation of the size of India.

    Perhaps India would not have remained a bagger and a loser state had Nehru and his clan not been at the helm.

  106. Like so many other evils, Article 370 was born, like partition itself, and that symbol of Indian sado-masochism: “Aurnagzeb Road” in the fevered imaginings and ambitions of the progenitor of the Post-Independence Indian National Khangress. Shri Jabberlal Neck-screw: It is not entirely correct to say that Kashmir was aloof during the Sikh Wars. It was, in many ways, a product of those tumultous times that is so well captured in”Soldiers Sehebs” by Charles Allen.

  107. @ for the purposes of this Article, the Govt of the State means the person for the time being recognized by the President as Maharaja of Jammu & Kashmir acting on the advice of the council of Ministers for the time being in office under the Maharaja’s Proclamation dated the fifty day of March 1948……..

    What is the relevance of this explanation when the institution of Rulers was abolished and Art. 366(22) was amended by the 26Th Amendment to the constitution ? Or do you think as for as J& K, Mr. Karan Singh still remains as the Maharaja for the limited purpose of Art. 370 ?

  108. Dear Sir,

    I had to read about Article 370 for a law course assignment and found this to be very clear and lucid. I suggest you get this printed in main line newspapers in Hindi/ English and also the southern languages so that all Indians come to know about the real story behind Kashmir and the festering wound that it is …

  109. Maj Gen saab let me take this honor to thank you for sharing such a crisp and precise piece of information which as a reader I have been longing to read for long. Our readings and TV watching sessions are governed by the govt. We read and view only what they want us to read and view.

    I have been listening about Article 370 since when I was kid, Wikipedia also provided very technical information about it, which as a lay man is hard to understand in terms of its consequences but your article was indeed an eye opener.

  110. When all Princely States falls within the territory of India merged in India after 1947 then why we all are giving different type of facility to Kashmir. Treat Kashmir like other states of India. Article 370 is curse for India, so omit it for the unity and integrity of India. All citizens of India also want no more article 370 for Kashmir. Modern politics is enjoying article 370 and using the same as weapon for vote which is very very dangerous.

  111. Article 370 is a dagger aimed at the heart of a democratic nation of 1.2 billion Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Siks and others. In retrospect, it is hard to imagine any rationale or justification for taking a part of India and assigning, in perpetuity, means for undoing the unity of the nation. Political expediency, lack of strategic view of the unfolding environemt, appeasing a small minority whose allegiance had been in question all along, were factors singularly or combined to explain what may have gone through the minds of the Indian Congress leaders at the time of partition. The result today is a time-bomb ticking away which can reverberate devastatingly through the rest of India if ignited. The smartest and the brightest need to rise to undo the harm. The following are some thoughts on this: First, open a public dialogue to inform, educate and consul the population that this is a national matter, and not an issue dealing with a small corner effectiing a minority population. Second, make a case based on national security of India to do away with article 370. Regardless of the possible push back from the Pakistani sympathizers in the Valley, the Indian government must move forward. The security of India cannot be bartered away to appease a small minority population in the most strategically important part of India. Third, present policies and programs to provide benefits, political freedom and rights to all the citizens of Kashmir same as any other Indian state. If a minority resists to such a change they should be allowed to contest their positions in the Indian courts of law same as any other state. If after the courts have spoken, whether the extremist accept the verdict of the courts or not, the Indian law enforcement agencies should plan to enforce the laws of the nation. It is only India, not UN and not Pakistan or its allies who will decide what is required to maintain the defence and integrity of India

  112. Dear Sir
    .
    Article 370 is a Useful TOOL for India for answering to Pakistan’s Friends
    Namely the OIC ie whenever they raise ” concerns ” over the Situation in
    Kashmir
    .
    Similarly The White Christian West through their Numerous
    Agencies who cry for ” Human Rights ” while USA kills Millions in
    Afghanistan and Iraq will come down heavily on India if we abolish Article 370
    .
    India has NO friends really
    We have to be always careful
    .
    For those who criticise Article 370 must remember that As long as
    Muslims are in a MAJORITY in Kashmir Valley The Pro Pakistan
    feelings will always remain
    .
    We have to deal with it and live with it

    • Sorry to say but your argument in favor of #370 is stupid. Yes it is totally STUPID.
      Country can not run with the fear and national interest must be prime of the nation and nation should not compromise for that matter.

    • Dear pankaj I want to tell you that you are highly dumb and timid. Because people like you india always remains on the backfoot. Get rid of such pessimism if you want to see india as a real superpower. We cannot think of appeasing a single community when our soldiers are being butchered at the loc. We have to take strong steps internally and externally to be seen as a fearless nation, which unfortunately is not the case right now because of such attitude.i would really like to see some bold steps by the indian government and article 370 to be abolished.

  113. Dear Sir
    .
    The Really Important Question is that Can the Indian State
    provide Security to Non Muslims from Other Indian States if Article 370
    is abolished and if some Non Muslims wish to settle in Kashmir
    .
    We have NOT been able to resettle Kashmiri Pandits back in the valley
    .
    So blaming Article 370 is NOT right

  114. Sir, got to go through your informative writings and felt like conveying honest appreciation. Specially so – the expression of the Sardar Patel – “Jawahar Lal royega”, is found something to be of a true depiction of the conviction of courage
    that the great man enjoyed in all its pure rawness.
    May you be blessed with continuity with the gift of effective writing! Good luck and regards: Ashok

  115. CSM on December 1, 2012 at 9:44 am said:

    Article 370 is a dagger aimed at the heart of a democratic nation of 1.2 billion Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Siks and others. In retrospect, it is hard to imagine any rationale or justification for taking a part of India and assigning, in perpetuity, means for undoing the unity of the nation. Political expediency, lack of strategic view of the unfolding environemt, appeasing a small minority whose allegiance had been in question all along, were factors singularly or combined to explain what may have gone through the minds of the Indian Congress leaders at the time of partition. The result today is a time-bomb ticking away which can reverberate devastatingly through the rest of India if ignited. The smartest and the brightest need to rise to undo the harm. The following are some thoughts on this: First, open a public dialogue to inform, educate and consul the population that this is a national matter, and not an issue dealing with a small corner effectiing a minority population. Second, make a case based on national security of India to do away with article 370. Regardless of the possible push back from the Pakistani sympathizers in the Valley, the Indian government must move forward. The security of India cannot be bartered away to appease a small minority population in the most strategically important part of India. Third, present policies and programs to provide benefits, political freedom and rights to all the citizens of Kashmir same as any other Indian state. If a minority resists to such a change they should be allowed to contest their positions in the Indian courts of law same as any other state. If after the courts have spoken, whether the extremist accept the verdict of the courts or not, the Indian law enforcement agencies should plan to enforce the laws of the nation. It is only India, not UN and not Pakistan or its allies who will decide what is required to maintain the defence and integrity of India

  116. देश की एक बढ़ी आबादी ,जो कि हिन्दी बेहतर बोल,लिख व समझती है और आपके आर्टिकल की कदरदान है पर उसकी दिक्कत ये है कि वो इंगलिश में अपने व्यूज़ एक्सप्रेस नहीं कर पाती और इसकी वजह से आप और अधिक व बेहतर विचारों व सुझावों से वंचित रह रहे हैं ! कृपया मेरे जैसे आदमी को भी कुछ योगदान करने का अवसर दीजिएगा – एक हिन्दी सैक्शन अपनी साईट पर बना के! बहुत कुछ हैमेरे पास भी शेयर करने को ।
    कुलदीप शर्मा

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