Article 370: Special Status to J&K (Historical)

Note: Article 370 was abrogated on August 5, 2019. This article provides historical context and legal analysis.

Historical Background

Article 370 was incorporated in the Constitution when Jammu and Kashmir acceded to India on October 26, 1947:

• Instrument of Accession signed by Maharaja Hari Singh
• Accession was on three subjects: Defence, External Affairs, and Communications
• Article 370 was meant to be a "temporary provision"
• Drafted by N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar

What Article 370 Provided (Before Abrogation)

Article 370 granted special autonomous status to J&K:

• Limited Parliamentary Power: Parliament could legislate on Defence, External Affairs, and Communications only
• Separate Constitution: J&K had its own constitution
• Separate Flag: State had its own flag (alongside Indian tricolor)
• Residency Rights: Non-residents couldn't buy property
• Different Laws: Many Central laws didn't automatically apply
• No Emergency: Financial Emergency couldn't be imposed

Article 370 - Original Text

The article had two main clauses:

• Clause (1): Temporary provisions for J&K
• Clause (2): Extended application of Constitution provisions with concurrence of State Government
• Clause (3): President could modify/cease article on recommendation of Constituent Assembly of J&K

Article 35A (Also Abrogated)

Added through Presidential Order in 1954:

• Gave J&K legislature power to define "permanent residents"
• Permanent residents had special rights and privileges
• Non-permanent residents couldn't buy property
• Challenges to this couldn't be taken to Supreme Court

The Abrogation - August 5, 2019

The Central Government took following steps:

1. Presidential Order C.O. 272: Extended all provisions of Constitution to J&K
2. Resolution in Parliament: Recommended abrogation under Article 370(3)
3. J&K Reorganization Act, 2019: Bifurcated state into two Union Territories:
   • Jammu & Kashmir (with legislature)
   • Ladakh (without legislature)

Legal Challenges and Arguments

Challenges to Abrogation:

• Required concurrence of State Constituent Assembly (which was dissolved in 1957)
• Article 370(3) couldn't be used without State's consent
• Violated federal structure and basic structure doctrine
• Conversion from state to UT without consent

Government's Defense:

• Article 370 itself was temporary
• After dissolution of Constituent Assembly, Governor's concurrence sufficient
• Parliament has power to alter boundaries under Article 3
• Decision based on national security and integration

Supreme Court Verdict - December 2023

A Constitution Bench of Supreme Court in a historic judgment:

• Upheld Abrogation: Held that Article 370 was temporary and could be abrogated
• Presidential Power: President's power under 370(3) was validly exercised
• Basic Structure: Didn't violate basic structure of Constitution
• Reorganization: Parliament has power to reorganize states
• Statehood: Directed restoration of statehood at earliest
• Elections: Directed holding of Assembly elections by September 2024

Current Status

As of now:

• All provisions of Indian Constitution apply to J&K
• All Central laws are applicable
• No special residency or property rights
• J&K is a Union Territory with legislature
• Ladakh is a Union Territory without legislature
• Both administered by Lieutenant Governors

Implications of Abrogation

Positive:

• Complete integration with rest of India
• All citizens can buy property
• Central laws on women's rights, education, RTI now apply
• Reservation for SC/ST/OBC
• Anti-corruption laws applicable

Concerns:

• Loss of special identity
• Demographic concerns
• Downgrade from state to UT
• Reduced autonomy

Comparative Analysis

Other states with special provisions (still existing):

• Article 371: Special provisions for Maharashtra and Gujarat
• Article 371A: Special provisions for Nagaland
• Article 371F: Special provisions for Sikkim
• Article 371G: Special provisions for Mizoram

Historical Significance

Article 370 remains one of the most debated constitutional provisions:

• Shaped J&K's relationship with India for 70 years
• Symbol of both integration and separate identity
• Its abrogation marks a significant constitutional moment
• Raises questions about federalism and autonomy