Transformation of Jammu and Kashmir since 2019: Legal and Ideological Dimensions
The transformation of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir since 2019 should not be understood in isolation, but rather in a broader context, with a slight touch of history as well, when Maharaja Hari Singh was the prince and Kashmir was a princely state. During the year 1947, Raja Hari Singh was given a choice to join India or Pakistan. Due to the tribal invasion from Pakistan, he decided to join India and signed the Instrument of Accession. After that, Kashmir was given a special status under Article 370, which declares Kashmir as an autonomous state where the local government can make decisions except in a few areas like defense, foreign affairs, and communications, which are controlled directly by the Indian government. Along with Article 35A in the Constitution, it gave rights to the people. Unfortunately, after the emergence of Narendra Modi, Articles 370 and 35A were abrogated on August 5, 2019, and many new acts were introduced, such as the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA...