What happened?
India revoked the Article 370 of its Constitution which guaranteed special status to the region of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Kashmir was allowed to have its own constitution under this constitutional provision.
Suspicious activity had been going on since the start of August. India sent an extra 10,000 troops to Kashmir and cancelled a Hindu pilgrimage that has been an annual feature in J&K for decades.
Further, schools and colleges were closed and tourists were asked to leave. The communication channels have been shut down and pro-India Kashmiri politicians have been put under house arrest.
What was the international community’s reaction regarding the current Kashmir issue?
This action stunned the whole international community with condemnation coming from United Nations (UN) and other peace organizations. U.S went on to offer to act as a mediator in the situation.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) stated that, “No unilateral step by the Indian government can change the disputed status”.
Read: This Is How Indians Are Standing Up Against Atrocities In Kashmir
What was Pakistan government’s reaction on the current Kashmir issue?
Prime Minister Imran Khan described this action taken by the Indian government as “illegal.” Further he said, “This would destroy regional peace and security.”
Many politicians such as Maryam Nawaz, Shehbaz Sharif and President Arif Alvi also came out against India’s actions.
Why did India take this step?
It is speculated that the Indian government did this to show how tough they are on Kashmir.
According to Micheal Kugelman, a leading specialist on Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan:
“The repeal of Article 370 is a big manifestation of Hindu nationalism, as it represents an effort to bring India’s only Muslim-majority region into the union of India so that the nation’s Hindu majority can invest, acquire land there, and so on.”