Why is Jammu and Kashmir given special status in the constitution?
~~Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which is of a temporary nature, grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Under Part XXI of the Constitution of India, which deals with “Temporary, Transitional and Special provisions”, the State of Jammu and Kashmir has been accorded special status under Article 370. Interestingly, till 1965, J&K had a Sadr-e-Riyasat for Governor and Prime Minister in place of Chief Minister !
When Indian Government was merging with Indian Princely States and foreign ruled territories using Instrument of Accession, J&K chose to remain independent, but when Muslim Tribes (allegedly supported by the government of Pakistan) attacked Jammu and Kashmir on 6 October 1947, to save his state Maharaja Hari Singh (the then ruler of J&K) chose to accede Jammu & Kashmir to India, so that India could help in defending her. The accession of the state to India is still a matter of dispute between India and Pakistan , and still on the agenda of the U.N.Security Council.