Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly supported his government’s controversial decision from 2019 to remove the special rights of Kashmir, just days after local lawmakers in the region asked for those rights to be reinstated.
“Only the constitution created by Babasaheb Ambedkar will be followed in Kashmir. No one can bring back Article 370,” Modi declared at an election rally in Maharashtra, referring to Ambedkar, a key figure in creating India’s constitution.
In 2019, Modi’s government took away Kashmir’s special status and divided the region into two areas, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. This action faced opposition from many political groups in the area.
After a decade without local elections, Kashmir held its first such elections in September and October. Recently, the newly elected lawmakers passed a resolution asking for the restoration of the special rights. The ruling National Conference party had promised to bring back these rights during their campaign, but the authority to make that change lies with Modi’s federal government.
The new lawmakers in Kashmir can deal with local matters like any other Indian state, except for issues related to public order and security. They also need approval from a federal administrator for any financial decisions.
Previously, Kashmir had its own constitution and could make laws on various issues, barring foreign relations, defense, and communications.
Kashmir is India’s only Muslim-majority region and has been the center of conflict, with separatists clashing with security forces since 1989. The area has also been disputed between India and Pakistan since both countries achieved independence from British rule in 1947, leading to two of their three wars over the region.
