From The Editor
On August 5, this year, the abrogation of Article 370 has completed its one year. Last year on the same day, the Union government had unprecedentedly revoked provisions of Article 370 and Article 35A that was guaranteeing special privileges to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir besides exclusive residency and property rights. The BJP that abrogated the semi-autonomous status of the state and broke it into two Union Territories is celebrating its first so-called anniversary.
Since BJP has been attributing the separatism and militancy in Kashmir to the special provisions enshrined in the Indian constitution, it has been counting gains in Kashmir post-August 5, 2019 when the major decision took place. The celebrations in the BJP, however, have lesser or no takers in Jammu and Kashmir with almost all the major and minor political parties mourning the scrapping of special provisions and breaking the erstwhile state into two Union territories.
Nevertheless, the decision has changed the political and geographical map of Jammu and Kashmir. Since then the journey for the BJP led government in Delhi had not been so easy and rosy. It has been continuously facing pressure at international forums to justify its decision while on the ground, the political experts attribute China’s incursion in Ladakh to the scrapping of Article 370. The two powerful armies of Asia in Ladakh desert are head-on with no let down in the situation apparently. Pakistan is putting its all weight to bring maximum international criticism to India. In India, the opposition political parties even have been castigating the Narender Modi government for its August 5 decision and term it as a major political blunder. But the BJP is unmoved and stands by its decision even after a year.
The political process in Jammu Kashmir is completely missing since all the parties demand the restoration of Article 370 and statehood to start with political activities. But it seems near impossible that BJP is ready to bend down an inch and accept any of these demands. This gives no hope for the revival of political normalcy in Jammu Kashmir and it may have to stay under Delhi’s rule for some time. On the other hand, the exclusive right over the land and jobs for the local domiciles is again a bigger concern for common people. With new domicile law in place after the August 5, 2019 decision, the majority of the people fear that they may lose their prosperity and jobs to outsiders and may bring socioeconomic worries instead of what BJP promised peace and prosperity.
Given to such a prevailing situation, Modi’s march in Jammu Kashmir may not be cozy. He will have to address many complicated issues, to win the trust of people and ensure their socio-economic rights are secured. At the same time, the local political dispensations which faced tremendous challenges in retaining democracy on the ground despite an outbreak of insurgency needs to be taken on board.
The path of reconciliation has to be chosen and confrontation can no more be the permanent solution for peace and stability in Kashmir. Democracies survive and thrive with dissent and criticism and the Prime Minister needs to encourage that in Kashmir.
