The conflict in Kashmir is the most notorious issue the government has been facing since independence. Two factors are mainly responsible: the indecisiveness of the king Hari Singh in the beginning and implementation of Article 370 later.
How Did The Article Come Into Existence?
As per the suggestion of General Mountbatten, the issue of Kashmir was registered with the UN. The UN suggested conducting a plebiscite. Before the solution is brought, it was necessary to have some alternative. So it was decided that the Constituent Assembly will be elected and the same members will function as the Legislative Assembly later. The Central Government would handle the responsibilities of defense, foreign affairs and communication and the rest of the matters were according to the terms and conditions settled between Indian Government and Hari Singh.
The role of Sheikh Abdullah was important now. After his party, the National Conference came into power; he dismissed the monarchy. Thus the line was drawn between India and King Hari Singh. Now Nehru had to negotiate with Sheikh Abdullah in the matter of Kashmir. Nehru accepted the condition without any hesitation. Soon, Abdullah’s role as a villain began. He started blackmailing Nehru. More than this, there was pressure from the UN for a plebiscite. This added fuel to the fire. Abdullah increased the demands in the name of the Kashmir’s welfare. Nehru accepted all the terms and conditions under Article 360A. This turned into Article 370 later on.
This article came into existence in 1949. The status of Jammu Kashmir was different from India.
An Indian citizen would not be a citizen of Jammu and Kashmir. While the citizen of Jammu and the would be a citizen of India. The state would have a separate constitution. Jammu and Kashmir would have a separate flag, and the flag code was not applicable to them. The right to property did not apply to Indian citizens here.
The President is the constitutional head, and he can appoint a governor in all the of the states. But he had to take the permission of the local government for the appointment of governor in Kashmir.
To conclude, I would say that the suspension of Article 370 is a historical step by Modi government.