Politics of Jammu and Kashmir
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The state of Jammu and Kashmir has historically consisted of four political regions. Ladakh towards the east bordering China, Jammu towards the south bordering India and Pakistan, Kashmir Valley towards the east bordering Pakistan and Baltistan areas towards the North bordering China and Pakistan. Baltistan and a part of Kashmir Valley are under Pakistan control. Aksai Chin, claimed by India to be a part of Ladakh, is under Chinese control. While the rest is under Indian control. Pakistan and Indian controlled parts are separated by Line of Control (LOC).
Like all the states of India, Indian controlled parts of Jammu and Kashmir have a multi-party democratic system of governance. Main political parties include the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, the Indian National Congress and the Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party (PDP). Presently, the Indian National Congress and its ally PDP hold the maximum number of seats in the Jammu and Kashmir state assembly. Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad replaced PDP's Mufti Mohammed Sayeed as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir in late 2005.
The Constitution of India grants Jammu and Kashmir special autonomous status as a temporary provision through Article 370. However, some Muslim Kashmiris demand greater autonomy and sovereignty and some even demand independence from India, while some non-Muslims would like to see the state fully integrated into India. A part of Kashmiri Muslims also have inclination towards Pakistan since a large part of Kashmir is under Pakistan Control. There has also been a number of separatist movements, both political and militant, mostly lead by hardline Muslim leaders. However, in recent years Kashmiri Muslims have been leaning towards being in India due to economic reasons.[1]
Jammu and Kashmir is the only Indian state that has its own flag. Designed by the Government of India, the state flag of Jammu and Kashmir is the native plough on a red background which is a symbol of labour. The three stripes represent the three administrative divisions of the state, namely Jammu, Vale of Kashmir, and Ladakh.[2]
Pakistan controlled part of Kashmir valley is referred to (by Pakistan) as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) or Independent Jammu and Kashmir. While the area of Baltistan is not a part of it. These areas of Baltistan and surroundings are called as Northern Areas by Pakistan.
Azad Kashmir has its own Prime minister and a President. But instead of a parliament they have a Jammu and Kashmir council. It deals with all administrative and financial matters of the region, whereas security and Army are still under Pakistan control.
Northern Areas are referred to as FANA (Federally Administered Northern Areas) by Pakistan. These areas are not officially a part of Pakistan, but recently there have been increasing demand of making it part of Pakistan officially, a move that Pakistan is hesitant to take, since it will affect its long standing position on Kashmir conflict.
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