“Farooq Abdullah: Article 370 Implemented Due to Concerns and Fear”

Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], January 10: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah reiterated on Monday that Article 370 was introduced in 1947 by Maharaja Hari Singh out of concern that people from Punjab might migrate to Jammu and Kashmir after partition, leading to potential land acquisition issues.

Speaking at a press conference in Jammu, Abdullah emphasized that Maharaja Hari Singh implemented Article 370 to safeguard the interests of the local population in Jammu and Kashmir. He stated, “Maharaja Hari Singh introduced Article 370 to protect the poor people of Jammu and Kashmir after the partition. He reserved jobs exclusively for the locals of J-K and Ladakh. This was the essence of Article 370.”

The Supreme Court upheld the Union Government’s decision to abrogate Article 370 in December 2023. The five-judge Constitution bench ruled on petitions challenging the government’s move, stating that Article 370 was a temporary provision. The court highlighted that the proclamation of Maharaja Hari Singh indicated that the Constitution of India would supersede, and Article 370 was an interim arrangement due to wartime conditions in the state.

The central government announced the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370 in August 2019, subsequently dividing the region into two union territories. The Supreme Court, in its verdict, mandated that assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir should be conducted by September of the following year.