TIME TO RESTORE J&K STATEHOOD AND ALLOW DEMOCRACY TO THRIVE

It is highly unlikely that any future government or another bench of judges would be able to reverse the decision. The dilution of the state's autonomy began way back in 1954 with the abolition of the state's custom duty and the extension of Indian citizenship to the permanent citizens of Jammu and Kashmir. Most central laws have since been applied to J&K. When the Supreme Court pronounced its judgement, J&K's autonomy existed only on paper.

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On the question of J&K's sovereignty, the court has rightly emphasised that all states in the country have legislative and executive powers, though to differing degrees. The Constitution accommodates specific concerns of some states by providing for arrangements under particular articles that address them; Articles 371A (for Nagaland) and 371J (Hyderabad-Karnataka region) are examples of such special arrangements. Article 370 became similarly applicable to J&K on the adoption of the Constitution. There is no question of the state