Abrogation of Article 370 and Cross-Border Terrorism

Abstract

Anachronistic Article 370 of the Indian Constitution is often inculpated with cross-border terrorism and ascribed with the social and economic injustice sustained by the masses of Kashmir for aeons. It grants special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir; empowering it to have its own laws. The primordial special status of Jammu and Kashmir vis-a-vis Article 370 has helped political elite to flourish, however, the same has led denial of socio-economic justice for the people over the past decades into the bargain. Cross-border terrorism thrives essentially on the backdrop of prevalent separatist sentiments stemming from denied economic opportunities and restricted social gains which Pakistan has incessantly exploited to forward its ulterior motives in the region of Jammu and Kashmir. The paper assesses whether Pakistan shares a myrmecophilous relationship with terrorism and examines the social and political effects of abrogation of Article 370 vis-a-vis cross border terrorism. The glaring question of the hour therefore stands, whether the unflinching move of abrogation of Article 370 will suffice eradication of cross-border terrorism or will it prove as an exemplar of legislative authoritarianism by the government in the times of unrest in Jammu and Kashmir.