Srinagar, Aug. 5 -- Darakshan Hassan Bhat

Seven years have passed since the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 was abrogated. This historic move by the Government of India on August 5, 2019, aimed to fully integrate the region into the Indian Union and remove barriers to development and governance.

Article 370 and Article 35A had long been criticized for restricting legal and constitutional equality. They prevented the implementation of many central laws protecting women, children, minorities, and weaker sections. Notably, these provisions institutionalized gender discrimination by denying women property and domicile rights if they married outside the region. Land ownership restrictions discouraged private investment ...