The recent abrogation of article 370 ending the special status of J&k in the Indian Constitution have delivered a knock-out blow to the long-drawn out peace process in kashmir. These moves also herald a paradigm shift in the fundamental premises and parameters of India's approach toward's the Kashmir issue, with long-term implications for its political strategy of tackling such internal conflicts. There are three cardinal principles which successive political regimes have hitherto followed in addressing internal conflicts and seeking political reconciliation with alienated segments of the populace. These in turn have bolstered the robust and resilient nature of Indian democracy. The future, however appears much more uncertain. Since 1947 India has faced a wide-ranging nature of political demands ranging from secession to the creation of a separate State for Jammu, Union Territory Status for Ladakh and others seeking affirmative discrimination for the Dogri language Scheduled Tribe status for Gujjars and Paharis and so on. In 1989, when the Ladakhi Buddhists demanded Union Terrritory status the Indian Copnstitution once again made space for political experimentation by experimentation by introducing two intermediate state strucrtures-two autonomous hill councils for Leh and Kargil.