Why India stops Kashmir’s autonomy

The decision, announced yesterday Monday by Narendra Modi’s government, risks provoking an outbreak of violence in this state where the population, mainly Muslim, rejects the authority of the central government.

Yesterday, the end of the autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir, which will be divided into two territories and placed under the authority of the federal government, therefore came into force by presidential decree. It will have serious consequences for India and for regional stability.

This northern state, on the border of China and Pakistan, enjoyed autonomy under section 370 of the Constitution and, in theory, the federal government should leave the management of its internal affairs to the executive and legislative assembly of the region.

The political status of Jammu and Kashmir is all the more sensitive as India and Pakistan have been competing for sovereignty over the territory for 72 years. The two nuclear powers have already gone to war four times.