Indian Revocation of Article 370 and 35a: Policy Options for Pakistan

Abstract

The unilateral revocation of Article 370 and 35A by the government of BJP has enhanced the complexity of Kashmir dispute as it ended the special status of Jammu and Kashmir granted by constitution of India. According to the Instrument of Accession which is the foundation of Article 370 and 35A, no such amendment would unilaterally be introduced by the central government that is devoid of state’s consent. India made this politico-strategic move to materialize the Hindutva ideology which is based on racial superiority, religious bigotry, political prejudice, communal hatred, social segregation and territorial expansion. People of Jammu and Kashmir have been facing severe atrocities and human rights violations since the abrogation of special status of Jammu and Kashmir. Moreover, India is neither adhering to UNSC’s resolutions nor it is ready to have bilateral negotiations with Pakistan with regard to the resolution of Kashmir dispute. This type of aggressive behavior of India is reflecting its hegemonic design and also indicates the absence of some intervening variables such as domestic environment of India, global developments and regional dynamics. This study argues that these variables may generate an atmosphere that could solidify policy options for Pakistan for the resolution of Kashmir dispute. It also emphasizes the findings that regional developments like China’s rising influence, India’s territorial disputes with neighboring countries and abrupt withdrawal of US from Afghanistan are gradually isolating India in the region and enhancing the prospects for proposed policy options for Pakistan. Methodologically, the study is qualitative in nature having primary and secondary data sources that seeks to conduct plausible examination to establish the connection between intervening variables and proposed policy options for Pakistan. The core finding of the study suggests that intervening variables may play significant role for the proposed xiii policy options for Pakistan in order to resolve the Kashmir dispute after the revocation of Article 370 and 35A.