Karan Singh’s Proclamation of 1949

Karan Singh’s Proclamation of 1949 was a crucial document that played a pivotal role in defining the constitutional relationship between Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and the Union of India. Issued in November 1949 by Yuvraj Karan Singh, it repealed the Government of India Act, 1935, and adopted the Indian Constitution as the governing document for J&K, superseding all inconsistent constitutional provisions in the state. This move was primarily to eliminate any ambiguity about J&K’s integration into India, especially in light of the earlier Instrument of Accession signed by Hari Singh, which had left some questions about J&K’s complete integration. The Supreme Court of India, in its ruling upholding the abrogation of Article 370 in December 2023, reaffirmed the significance of this proclamation in clarifying J&K’s sovereignty status and its full integration into the Indian Union.