Post MBA exams aspirants will be tested on communication skills and B schools are likely to test you for Essay writing.  It is suggested to practice for Essay with variety of topics. Today you will read Essay on   “Article 370 – Four Months Down the Lane”  

Enough has been said and written about Article 370 and its abrogation earlier in August 2019. While political and social analysts were predicting such a move, a few believed that the existing government will not be able to implement any changes. Eventually on August 5, 2019 the President of India issued the Constitution (Application to Jammu & Kashmir) Order, 2019, C.O. 272 and the special status of J & K was revoked. The state of J&K is now divided into two union territories - Jammu and Kashmir (with a legislature) and Ladakh (without a legislature.

The Article 370 came into effect in 1949 according to which the state of Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed a special status until 5^th August 2019. In simple terms, the people of J&K lived under separate laws and enjoyed autonomy in all areas except defence, foreign affairs, finance and communication. Click here to read in detail about all that Article 370 stood for.

Further in 1957, Article 35A was inserted though the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order by the then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. According to which no outsider was allowed to own property or get a state job in J&K.

This decision has garnered a lot of criticism by a large section of general population and the opposition. There have been mass protests organized in different cities in India in the last few months. Some have been in support of it and some opposing it. The current Modi government has been criticized at a national and global level on the way the changes were implemented. It is considered as a hazard to the human rights.

Major leaders of the popular political parties were house arrested. Internet and telephone services were revoked. Heavy troops were deployed all across the streets to curb any unrest or protests. Public movements were banned and schools and offices were shut. Such steps are considered an outright threat to the democracy. With no direct communication with the local residents of the Valley, the Government clearly denies any protests took place. However, certain media outlets have confirmed that there have been protests. Also, forceful arrests are being taken to infuse fear in the locals so that no unrest outbreak.

For almost four months Kashmir was completely cutoff with the rest of the world. Gradually schools, shops and offices have opened. The internet services still remain suspended in the Valley.

The current Government believes to have corrected the historical blunder. It urges it was necessary to scrap Article 370 to integrate Kashmir with the rest of the country. The government aims to restore peace, curb corruption and enable growth in the Valley with this step. But only time will tell the implications of this decision.