Article 370 Explained.

 Article 370 was a provision in the Constitution of India that granted a special status to the region of Jammu and Kashmir. It was introduced in 1949 and served as the legal and constitutional basis for the relationship between the Indian government and the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Under Article 370, several provisions of the Indian Constitution did not automatically apply to Jammu and Kashmir. The state had its own separate Constitution, and the central government's jurisdiction was limited to defense, foreign affairs, and communications.

Some of the key features of Article 370 were:

1. Autonomy: Jammu and Kashmir had its own separate Constitution and the power to make laws for the state, except in matters of defense, foreign affairs, and communications.

2. Dual Citizenship: Residents of Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed dual citizenship—Indian citizenship as well as citizenship of the state.

3. Limited application of central laws: Many laws enacted by the Indian Parliament were not applicable to Jammu and Kashmir unless the state government specifically extended them.

4. Separate flag and emblem: Jammu and Kashmir had its own state flag and emblem, which were used alongside the national flag and emblem of India.

In August 2019, the Indian government revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir by abrogating Article 370. The region was bifurcated into two Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. This move resulted in the direct application of the Indian Constitution to Jammu and Kashmir, along with the extension of central laws and governance.

It's important to note that the revocation of Article 370 and the subsequent changes to the status of Jammu and Kashmir are a complex and sensitive topic, with differing perspectives and opinions.