(But without mentioning China's interests...)
... The BJP is in an unprecedentedly strong political position to give effect to its longstanding demands on Kashmir. But the velocity with which rumours are currently circulating suggests that there may be a major backlash against a move to scrap Article 35A.
In this context, it is also worth pointing out that while Article 370 is designated as “temporary”, the BJP should consider carefully the temptation to abrogate it in order to “integrate” J&K with India. Article 370(1)(c) explicitly mentions that Article 1 of the Indian Constitution applies to Kashmir through Article 370. Article 1 lists the states of the Union. This means that it is Article 370 that binds the state of J&K to the Indian Union.
Removing Article 370, which can be done by a Presidential Order, would render the state independent of India.
The article was framed in this fashion for good reason. In 1949, when these discussions took place, it was likely that a plebiscite would be held in the state. The framers of the Indian Constitution had to allow for the possibility that the Indian union may have to let go of J&K. Far from effecting a closer “integration” of J&K with India, removing Article 370 might open the proverbial Pandora’s box...
https://theprint.in/opinion/with-special-status-hollowed-out-jk-considers-article-35a-last-vestige-of-real-autonomy/269547/(I found that info linked from
here).
... see also editorial & comments at Pakistan's Dawn newspaper:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1498366/ihks-grim-reality
= new reply since forum marked as read
