ARTICLE 370 AND THE KASHMIR CONUNDRUM: CONSTITUTIONAL AUTONOMY, REVOCATION, AND SOCIO-POLITICAL RAMIFICATIONS

Article 370, enshrined in the Indian Constitution in 1949, was a unique provision that accorded special status to Jammu and Kashmir, enabling the state to maintain its own constitution, flag, and autonomy over internal affairs. This arrangement stemmed from the region's complex accession to India in 1947 amid geopolitical tensions involving India, Pakistan, and China. The provision was revoked on August 5, 2019, by the Government of India, sparking widespread debate over its constitutional validity, political motivations, and socio-economic consequences. This paper aims to analyze the objectives of Article 370, its historical evolution, and the ramifications of its abrogation, employing a multidisciplinary approach that integrates legal, political, and social perspectives.