The Centre’s decision to scrap Article 370 that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir has unnerved the Northeastern states where several states enjoy special status granted by the Indian constitution. Amidst fear, the home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday assured the states designated special powers under the Article 371 of the Constitution that the Narendra Modi government had no intention to remove the provision. For now it has ease the fear but can one really trust the words of the present BJP central leaders? This is a multi dollar question which perhaps even state BJP leaders will not be able to answer. Unlike the days of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the BJP under Modi and Shah, has demonstrated absolutely ruthlessness in imposing the core ideology of the party.
They don’t seem to be interested in building consensus. Also the Modi government has taken several controversial decisions in the last five years which have made people wary of them. Most of the states that have been accorded special provisions under Article 371 are in the northeast and the special status aims to preserve their tribal culture. It also has special provisions for Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Goa. Article 371 (F) deals with Sikkim, Article 371 (A) deals with Nagaland, Article 371 (B) with Assam, and Article 371 (C), 371 (G) and 371 (H) deal with Manipur, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh. All the NE states should join hand together to protect these constitutional provisions. A clear message should be sent to the centre warning them not to disturb the existing laws. After long decades of insurgency peace has returned to insurgency affected states like Nagaland, Assam, Manipur and Mizroam. Also people of states like Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim are very proud Indians. Any misadventure has potential to wreak havoc in the region.