Political Diary
New Delhi, 12 December
2023
India’s Kashmir
THE ROAD AHEAD
By Poonam I Kaushish
The stars of BJP seem to be on an ascend.
After winning Assembly elections in the Hindu heartland Rajasthan, Madhya
Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, its 5 August 2019 decision to abrogate
Article 370 and scrap Jammu & Kashmir’s special status was unanimously upheld
by Supreme Court Monday. Notwithstanding, agony
in some, anguish in others and anxiety in few of the erstwhile State’s regional
Parties.
Ending, decades’ long debate, the
Court directed restoration of Statehood “at the earliest” and Assembly elections
by September next. Terming it as only a ‘transitional provision’ the CJI-headed
five judge Bench said, “Article 370 was a temporary provision to ease J&K’s
merger with India.”
The Court also endorsed validity to
bifurcate the State into two Union territories --- J&K and Ladakh. Adding, “J&K
does not retain any element of sovereignty after execution of Instrument of
Accession and issuance of 25 November 1949 proclamation by which Indian Constitution
was adopted. Article 370 was a feature of asymmetric federalism and not
sovereignty.”
Hailing it as historic, Prime Minister Modi asserted, “The
verdict has given new strength to unity and integrity of India and is a beacon
of hope, progress and unity.” Predictably, Abdullah’s NC, Mufti’s PDP lamented,
“ Our political and legal fight will continue, on hopes that one day in future
we will get our lost glory that was snatched from us.”
As for the anti-BJP Opposition INDIA
combine, the abrogation could become a thorn in its flesh, beginning with their
upcoming seat-sharing talks in Delhi next week.
Its J&K partners would want a unified stand despite Supreme Court’s
verdict. To buy time the combine could
appoint an experts' committee to study its implications and way forward.
That apart, over the last three years there has been a 78%
decline in terrorism in J&K. Over 187 terrorists were killed and 111
counter-terror operations were carried out in 2022. Of these, 130 were local
terrorists and 57 foreign. Underscored, by a record 26.7 lakh tourist arrivals
in 2022, highest in the last three decades.
Post the verdict, New Delhi is confident that its measures
to amalgamate Kashmiris into the mainstream will bear fruit. Namely, extending reservation
in State Government posts and educational institutions to socially and
educationally backward classes to help eradicate discrepancies suffered by
them, along-with allowing people to contest and vote in nagar palika and panchayat.
Besides, Modi Sarkar is
leaving no stone unturned to plug Kashmir deeper into the economy and create
more broad-based stakeholders in the Valley who will benefit from greater
economic interactions with the rest of India. It has put in place various developmental
projects. Towards that end investment summits are being held. In fact, the G20 Presidency gave Government
opportunity to showcase the salubrious splendour of Srinagar by hosting
programmes there.
With the ban on outsiders living,
working and buying property lifting, Kashmir is slowly but surely ushering greater
business investment like IT to relocate to the region, promote world class
tourist facilities and build new infrastructure for modern industries. Bollywood,
Telugu and Tamil film industries have returned to the region thereby ushering a
new era.
Even as there is a tourism boom, Government needs to be
sensitive to locals needs. Certainly, a lot depends on intensified movement of
people for business and investment from across India. Given J&K’s social
and economic indicators are much better than UP, Bihar etc, it will require
sophisticated interventions to leapfrog development.
It remains to be seen if people will
be appeased by promises of development as growth is not the biggest grievance of
Kashmiris. It is the unacceptable heavy veil of security forces which makes it difficult
to win people over.
More than more of
the same, money, men and muscle what Kashmir needs is an emotional package, a
parcel that will allow Kashmiris specially youth weaned by Pakistan to give
vent to their grief and frustration, anger and even hatred. A wrap up which
will treat them with respect, restore their dignity and heal accumulated
humiliations. India needs to connect with Kashmiris.
Despite provocation
by Pakistan and its agents to ensure any emotional connect does not take place
and a veil of security, happily Srinagar is abuzz with youth strolling down Dal
Lake or women shopping at Lal Chowk late at night. BJP and allies are sending
student delegations to visit Kashmir and spend time with Gen Next listening to
them. Certainly, there will be bad eggs, but one hopes Kashmiris will not spurn
a genuine hand of friendship or treat it with violence.
For the medium term,
Government needs to put in place an educational package, not only formal but
educating people of Kashmir’s reality. Example: Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir aka Azaad
Kashmir, Pakistan has sold the idea that Azaad Kashmir is really azaad. But this is a lie.
Clearly, New Delhi
needs to deal with the unfolding situation sympathetically. Think. Kashmir
accounts for 15.8% of the area and 54.9% population, Jammu for 25.9% area and
42.9% population while Ladakh has 2.2% population but 58.3% area. However, when
the State Constituent Assembly was constituted Sheikh Abdullah arbitrarily
carved out 43 seats for Kashmir, 30 for Jammu region and two for Ladakh. The
defunct State Assembly had allocated 46 seats to Kashmir, 37 to Jammu and 4 to
Ladakh.
Underscoring, the stark anomalies in
the size of constituencies for the Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha. The average
number of voters and area per seat in the Kashmir region is far less than that
in Jammu and Ladakh. This was rectified by the Delimitation Commission which
allocated 6 more seats to Jammu totalling 43 seats and 1 to Kashmir (47) taking
the total tally to 90 seats. Consequently, Jammu
which will now have a greater political say and play in J&K politics.
With Supreme Court upholding the
abrogation of Article 370 it is time for Modi-Shah to arrive at a Modus Vivendi with locals by gathering
lost threads from the baggage of chequered history and keeping ones ears to the
ground. What would be the stake and role of J&K and Ladakh in the
immediate? The answer lies in the womb of future. The need of the hour is
imagination, innovation and impetus.
Remember, Kashmir is not a place where destiny seems to
shadow events like a madman with a razor in his hand. Nor a toy to be
frittered, twisted, discarded or dumped. It is a national issue, which
transcends political planks, ideology, philosophy and thesis. Modi has to leave
no ‘stone’ unturned to further its national interests and make Kashmiris’ truly
feel they belong to India. The Kashmiris’ too need to rise to the occasion.
Modi has been promising to abide by his slogan Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwaas
and deliver jannat in Kashmir’s
paradise. He needs to take the leap of faith, apply balm and connect with Kashmiris,
plug inequities and injustice and lay a platform for a stronger and cohesive
J&K. It remains to be seen if he can get the cherry blossom to truly bloom
again and make the Kashmir dream a new reality. It is a long haul to
everlasting peace. ----- INFA
(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)
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