Tarun Chugh
As the 2nd anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 falls on August 5 it would be worthwhile taking stock of the post-Article 370 situation in J&K.
The unfinished agenda of integration of India witnessed a big step two years ago on August 5, 2019, when the archaic and, regressive Article 370 was cast to the dustbin. The provisions of Article 370 were outrightly discriminatory as they generated and sustained separatist feelings among the J&K people.
The ruling junta of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir which consisted of a handful of family-led political parties exploited the sentiments of the people to the hilt and used the defence of Article 370, to promote their own vested interests.
The dumping of Article 370 was a tribute to the founder of Jan Sangh, Dr.Shyama Prasad Mukherjee who laid down his life for integrating J&K with India while protesting the separate status of the state which was the biggest hindrance in complete integration and unification of the state.
In future, no history book will be complete without referring to this step which put an end to the unfinished agenda of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Iron Man of New India in the Making.
What changes have been seen in the last two years is a matter of academic discussions. Let me put the things in proper perspective. Who could have imagined that the streets of Kashmir valley which were full of stone-pelters, tear-gases, and pellet-guns would soon see a boom of tourists?
None could have imagined that the Bandhs and Hartals on the call of minuscule and pro-Pak separatist like Hurriyat would be a thing of the past and the region would instead be bustling with business and commercial activities.
The youth of Kashmir is seeing a change. More than 8000 jobs have been already been given only in this year. New employment opportunities are in the offing. The Gurez sector that used to be the hotbed of terrorism is now shaping up as a tourist hub The Tourism Department has already held a tourism festival in which a number of adventure activities like camping, trekking, angling, water sports and other recreational events were organised in an area which was known to be a route and seeding ground for terrorists.
J&K, the crown of our country, has been infested with secessionism, terrorism and separatism, propagated by the vested anti-national elements in active connivance with our neighbour, Pakistan. The ecosystem of terrorism has three wings viz, a) the act of terrorism b) its logistic support c) propagation of terrorism as an ideology. With respect to the acts of terrorism, there is a marked decline in the incidents of terrorist violence. The recruitment of local youth befooled and enticed by the vested interests has shown a steady decline. Even in the five terrorist-ridden districts, there is a marked decline in terrorist activities. Most of the top commanders of the terrorist outfits have been neutralized.
Terrorism logistics-be it financial or other supporting infrastructure, NIA has worked immensely well in unearthing the terrorist funding process and its support system. It has uprooted the financial infrastructure of terrorism. All the supplies of financial pumping have been choked. Furthermore, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have rejected the ideology of terrorism and separatism. The chanting of anti-India slogans has been replaced by the national anthem and unfurling of Tri-colour.
Terrorism bomb has been replaced by tourism boom. People are thronging from all over India and enjoying the hospitality of the Kashmiri people. The common man, trader, shopkeeper, businessman, youth are embracing this development as a very positive sign. There is a shift from being alienated to being embraced by the healing touch of the Modi Government.
Now, the Kashmir valley has successfully fought its fight against the Corona virus and had fared well in containing the virus. It has also done very well as far as vaccination is concerned.
Political participation at the grassroots level has been started. In the election of DDC in December 2020, which was conducted very peacefully, 100 women were elected for the first time which had a voting turnover of 52%. Owing to abrogation of Article 370, for the first time, reservation was implemented in the political field following which six women, two leaders belonging to SC and ST were elected as chairpersons. The hitherto ignored community leaders like Gujjar Bakerwals were made part of the political-process. They were given financial-power by putting Rs 1500 crores in their accounts under the Prime Minister’s schemes.
The newly-constituted Delimitation Commission aims at giving a fair and equitable distribution to all the sections and regions of the valley.
J&K is on the road to development. Also, the region of Ladhak is on the road to development after it has achieved its long-cherished demand of being a Union Territory. The following are a few of the development glimpses for economic integration of Kashmir and upliftment of all the regions, people and sectors of Kashmir:
Investment Proposal
Investment proposals worth Rs.150 billion from around 40 companies from sectors like Information Technology, Defense, Renewable Energy, Tourism, Skill, Education, Hospitality, and infrastructure.
Electrification
During the past two years, the J&K government has achieved 100 per cent household electrification with 24×7 power for all.
House Hold Water Connection and Piped water supply
43 % of rural households which is double the national average of 21 per cent, and a road map has been prepared to ensure 100 per cent coverage of piped water supply to all 10816 million rural households by December 2021.
Irrigation Cum Power Projects
Rs 60 billion multi-purpose irrigation cum power project in J&K’s Kathua
Hospitals
2 AIIMS, 07 new medical colleges, 05 new nursing colleges and a state cancer institute are in Work-in-progress.
HRD
IIT and IIM are coming up in Kashmir.
Schools
Hundreds of new schools have been started and 50 new educational institutions offering 25,000 seats to students. Scholarship schemes benefitting more than half a million students so far.
It was doubted by many so-called ‘liberal intellectuals that how could there be an assurance of peace after the abrogation of 370. The transition has been peaceful and smooth. We are witnessing history in making in Kashmir.
(The writer is BJP national general secretary)
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