Article 370

Article 370 is a temporary provision in the Constitution of India. It provides special autonomous status to the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The provisions of the Indian Constitution that are applicable to other states of India are not applicable to J&K.
The article adopted in November 1956 and was enforced in the state in January 1957 by Sheikh Abdullah.

Special Provisions in Jammu and Kashmir as per Article 370
Some special provisions made in Jammu and Kashmir as Article 370 came into force in the state. These include:

J&K acquired different national flag.
Insulting the national flag and national symbols considered a crime in India. It is a punishable offence. But this rule did not apply in J&K.
The highest court orders in India did not apply in J&K.
Jammu and Kashmir citizens enjoyed dual citizenship.
Women in Kashmir had to abide by the Sharia law.
The tenure of the Assembly of J&K was 6 years unlike other Indian states in which the Assembly tenure is 5 years.
RTI, RTE and CAG were not applicable in Kashmir.
The J&K citizenship of a woman who married a person from another Indian state ended. On the other hand, if a woman from the state married someone from Pakistan, he acquired J&K citizenship.
If a Pakistani married a Kashmiri girl, he acquired Indian citizenship.
Article 370 did not allow people from other states to purchase property in J&K.
The minority group in Kashmir that consists of Hindus and Sikhs did not get 16% reservation.
Changes after the Revocation of Article 370
Now that Article 370 has revoked, Jammu and Kashmir will no longer enjoy the autonomous status. All the special powers that came with this article have annulled. Here are some of the other changes that brought about:

All the residents of J&K shall be entitled to single citizenship only.
Article 360 that is enforced during financial emergency is now applicable in J&K.
People from other states shall be able to purchase property in J&K.
Duration of Legislative Assembly has changed to 5 years.
RTI will be applicable in J&K.
Minorities will be eligible for 16% reservation.
Children will benefit from the Right to Education.
Directive Principle of State Policy shall be applicable.
J&K will not have a separate flag.

The Atmosphere in J&K as Article 370 Revoked
J&K’s prominent leaders, Omar Abdullah, Sajjad Lone and Mehbooba Mufti were under house arrest as the bill for abolition of Article 370 was passed in the Rajya Sabha.

Internet and mobile services in Kashmir’s Srinagar district suspended and a ban imposed on all public gatherings.

With so many changes underway after the revocation of Article 370, it seems like J&K will finally experience peace and prosperity. This is just the first step towards the betterment of the state.

There are miles to go! Whether the decision taken by Centre is right or wrong still debated. We hope it proves to be beneficial for the state as well as the country as a whole.