The revocation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, stands as a defining moment in India’s vision for Jammu and Kashmir, a region long plagued by unrest, separatism and systemic exclusion. For decades, the special provisions of the Indian Constitution had created a framework that inadvertently deepened inequalities, leaving entire communities; Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women, refugees and minorities, deprived of rights and opportunities afforded to other Indian citizens.
The decision to abrogate Article 370, alongside Article 35A and the subsequent Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, marked a bold step toward integrating the region fully into India’s constitutional mainstream.
This shift, rooted in the Indian ethos of unity, equality and development has ushered in a governance model that prioritises inclusion and empowerment, transforming a landscape of instability into one of opportunity. Post-370 era reflects a commitment to equity, representation and progress, aligning Jammu and Kashmir with the nation’s broader aspirations.
Before 2019, Jammu and Kashmir’s legal framework, shaped by Article 35A’s permanent residency rules, excluded many from the benefits of Indian citizenship.
The Valmiki community, for instance, laboured in Jammu’s sanitation sector but was denied voting rights, government jobs or access to education outside the state. Women who married non-residents lost their inheritance and property rights, a clear violation of gender equality.
Refugees from Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir, displaced since 1947, lived as outsiders, unable to own land or participate in elections. Kashmiri Pandits, forced from the Valley in the 1990s, had no political voice despite their historical significance.
Pahari speaking communities, despite their distinct ethnic identity, were overlooked for affirmative action. These were not isolated issues but systemic barriers that fuelled alienation and mistrust, undermining India’s vision of a unified nation. The abrogation of Article 370 sought to dismantle these inequities, extending the full scope of the Indian Constitution to create a more inclusive society.
The results have been transformative. The integration of Jammu and Kashmir into India’s constitutional framework brought 890 central laws into effect, including those guaranteeing equality, non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Valmiki community, long marginalised, was formally included in the Scheduled Castes list through the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023. Over 60,000 Dalit families now benefit from an 8 percent reservation in jobs and education, alongside voting rights and access to welfare schemes. This is not merely a policy shift but a restoration of dignity for a community sidelined for decades. Similarly, the Pahari Ethnic Group, alongside Gadda Brahmin, Koli and Paddari Tribe, gained Scheduled Tribe status in February 2024, addressing a 30 year demand for 11 lakh people. With 9 assembly seats reserved for STs and a 20 percent quota in opportunities, these communities now have a tangible stake in the region’s governance. This reflects India’s commitment to uplifting marginalised groups, ensuring no community is left behind.
Women, too have emerged as beneficiaries of this new model. The scrapping of Article 35A ended the discriminatory rule that stripped women of property rights if they married outside the state. Now, they can own, buy and transfer land freely, aligning with the constitutional principles of equality and non-discrimination. This change has empowered thousands of families, including those displaced since 1947, by securing their economic and social rights. At the grassroots, the application of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments has guaranteed 33 percent reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions and urban local bodies. The 2020 District Development Council elections saw women claiming over half of Panchayati Raj Institutions seats, a remarkable leap in political participation. The amended Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 2020 mandates at least one woman among nominated assembly members, embedding gender equity in the region’s governance. These reforms are not just administrative; they signal a cultural shift, amplifying women’s voices in a region where they were often marginalised.
The inclusion of Other Backward Classes and refugees further underscores the government’s focus on equity. The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, expanded OBC coverage to 15 new castes, including Jats, Sainis and West Pakistani refugees, with an 8 percent quota in jobs and education. Local bodies now reserve seats for OBCs, ensuring their political representation. Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. refugees, once stateless, have gained full citizenship, domicile rights and proprietary ownership. The 2023 amendment allows the Lieutenant Governor to nominate a Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Representative to the assembly, giving them a direct voice in governance. These measures address decades of neglect, integrating refugees into the national mainstream and reinforcing India’s commitment to justice for all its citizens.
Kashmiri Pandits, a community of 1.3 lakh among 1.5 lakh migrants displaced in the 1990s, have also seen significant progress. Over 5500 have received government jobs since 2019, with 1697 appointed by 2022 and 1140 more selected. The 2023 amendment empowers the Lieutenant Governor to nominate two members from Kashmiri migrant families, including one woman, to the assembly, ensuring their representation. Transit accommodations for 6000 families and schemes like the Prime Minister’s Development Package, accelerated post 2019, support their rehabilitation. No Pandit migrations have been reported since the abrogation, signalling stabilising environment. These steps reflect India’s resolve to heal historical wounds and restore trust among displaced communities.
The Delimitation Commission, 2022, restructured the assembly to 90 elected seats, with 7 for SCs and 9 for STs, ensuring equitable representation. The decline in terrorism; down 45 percent from 417 incidents in 2018 to 229 in 2021, underscores the stabilising effect of these reforms. The 2024 assembly elections, the first since abrogation, tested this model, with the National Conference Congress alliance’s victory reflecting democratic engagement. The post-370 governance model, rooted in India’s narrative of unity and equality, has replaced a fragmented system with one that empowers the marginalised, amplifies women’s voices and integrates displaced populations. It is a model that prioritises inclusion over exclusion, stability over unrest and opportunity over deprivation. As Jammu and Kashmir continues to evolve, this framework offers a blueprint for how bold policy, grounded in constitutional values, can reshape a region’s future, aligning it with the aspirations of a united India.
