The accusation from Sangh and the right wing nationalist blocs about article 370, as it stands in the way of national integrity and has acted as a catalyst to isolate the Kashmiris from the rest of the country is factually incorrect. From its birth itself article 370, as well as the assurance for the state’s autonomy crippled with abuse of the very law itself.Than you should not repent now. Nothing is permanent. Article 370 has done nothing good for Kashmiris and only helped them to isolate and poor. It is the time to rethink now. Our government is doing that only.
When drafting of the state constitution was complete and constituent assembly was dissolved in 1957, the power that enabled the president to pass orders in regard to the matters other than those mentioned in the Instrument of Accession also ended. But during 1954 to 1986, 42 presidential orders had been passed without concurrence or ratification of the “now dissolved” constituent assembly. Number of presidential orders like restricting the state legislature and giving more power to the Union legislature, regarding administrative services, provisions regarding Judiciary, emergency etc were invariable passed in these years. This was a simple and plain violation of the article 370 which is being condemned for its secessionist nature.
In case of Punjab, where four constitutional amendments were carried out by the parliament to extend the presidential rule, just executive orders were needed to impose president rule in Kashmir with its article 370 in its hand. The presidential order to extend article 249 to the state of J & K just required Rajya Sabha resolution and concurrence of the Governor of Kashmir and here the ratification of the state legislature were not at all felt necessary.
So, history has proven that rules can be made and imposed by the Union of India on J & K without much respecting the article 370 and its various sections. Naturally then, it absurd to blame this article for the impoverishment or isolation of Kashmir from the rest. Jammu & Kashmir might have thousand reasons for its precariousness but article 370 is not definitely one of those as it is being proclaimed by the rightist groups. At least, facts do not suggest so.