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Title ABROGATION OF INDIAN CONSTITUTIONAL ARTICLES 370 AND 35A: IMPLICATIONS FOR POLITICAL AUTONOMY AND DEMOGRAPHIC STRUCTURE OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Author(s) Fiaz-ur-Rehman Fiaz

Abstract The abrogation of ‘Articles 370 and 35A’ in 2019 marked a significant turning point in the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). These constitutional provisions had previously granted J&K a unique status within the Indian Union, ensuring political autonomy and safeguarding the region’s demographic structure by limiting land ownership and settlement rights to its permanent residents. The repeal of these articles has profound implications for J&K. It deprived J&K of its special status and reorganized it into two Union Territories (UTs), J&K and Ladakh, which are directly governed by the central government. This move not only altered the political autonomy of the region but also opened the door to demographic shifts, raising concerns about the erosion of J&K's cultural identity and increasing the influence of outside settlers. This study is significant as it explores the motivations behind this constitutional change and its wider implications for the political and demographic fabric of J&K. It seeks to answer the major research question: Why did the Modi-led Indian government repeal Articles 370 and 35A, and how has this affected the political autonomy and demographic structure of J&K? The research pursues a qualitative methodology, utilizing historical analysis, legal documents, and interviews to assess the impact of the abrogation. The study employs Neoclassical Realism as its theoretical framework, examining both domestic factors, such as the influence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Hindutva ideology, alongside international factors, including India’s diplomatic leverage through strategic partnerships with the United States (US) and Russia, as well as its expanding economic ties with various countries. The abrogation was driven by the Modi government’s nationalist agenda, aiming to consolidate central control over J&K, weaken its autonomy, and facilitate demographic changes that align with broader political goals, thus reshaping the region’s identity and governance.

Type Thesis/Dissertation

Faculty Social Sciences

Department International Relations

Language English

Publication Date 2025-06-17

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