New Equality, Enduring Changes

Context: Abrogation of the special status of J&K has meant the constitutional mainstreaming of J&K and an end to the shameful, discriminatory, and undemocratic policies.

Constitutional Mainstreaming of J&k 

• Indian Constitution and all the 890 Central laws will now be fully applicable to J&K. 
• Abort of discriminatory legal provisions, which prevented women in J&K from retaining their rights if they married outside the state.
• Municipal workers have become legitimate domiciles in the UT with the implementation of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993.
• Dalits and the tribal communities have got their due, as in other states with the implementation of laws like the Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1954.
• Rehabilitation of the Kashmiri Pandits, who were hounded (harassed) out of J&K by militants.
• Refugees from West Pakistan have been given domicile rights and financial assistance.
• Simple rules formulated for issuing domicile certificates will create a level-playing field for all J&K residents.
• Massive recruitment drive by the J&K government to fill up vacancies in the local government.
•  Revised rules to enable disadvantaged groups to get employment.
• Enforcement of the Right to Information Act, 2005, direct supervision of the Central Vigilance Commission and the setting up of a bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT).
• Ongoing work on massive infrastructure projects in J&K and Ladakh.

Conclusion: Abrogation of Article 370 and 35(A) has to lead to the actualization of liberal, secular, and democratic and egalitarian principles in J&K.