- The entire country as well as the global audience were taken aback when the Union Government announced nullifying of Article 370 and 35A granting special status to Jammu & Kashmir on 05th August 2019. Two years since few positive outcomes have emerged from the region warming the cockles of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party mandarins as well as its followers. Though the local political parties and the leaders would vehemently contradict on the matter. Of course, the national parties including the Grand Old Party would wish to discredit the ruling dispensation by urging initiating suitable measures to revert to normalcy sooner than later. However, there is no denying the fact that some churning for better is underway as evidenced.
PC: Sentinel Digital Desk
- As two years are behind us since the nullification of Jammu & Kashmir’s special status, what are those tangible measures that should be contemplated in all seriousness and implemented by taking all the stakeholders on board for the betterment of the battered region? There is no better way than to speed up the process to get to a clear political road map through a definite timeline that does not stretch beyond a year or so by citing one or the other implausible reasons. To that extent, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with political leaders of J&K parties in June assumes significant importance. The optics of inviting real stakeholders despite a long pending issue in the Supreme Court against the nullification of Article 370 is a real positive step.
- It goes to show that the matter may not become a stumbling block for political talks to commence rather than wait for the judicial pronouncement which appears far from fructifying immediately. The majority opinion in favor of the nullifying of Article 370, as authenticated by both Houses of the Parliament, as also people choosing the BJP with a popular mandate in the Lok Sabha elections amply demonstrate the widespread support for the ruling dispensations moves. Amidst all this, a call for the restoration of the democratic process and statehood in J&K is being sought by cross-party leaders which could be further boosted by undertaking elections. The catch here is the ongoing delimitation exercise coming in the way of holding elections.
PC: IANS
- The delimitation exercise has been delayed and has received an extension until March next year. Some of the positive developments bode great hope vis-à-vis the Delimitation Commission visiting the valley recently meeting with political representatives and promising a free and transparent process allaying fears that the exercise will whittle down Kashmir’s share of seats in the legislative assembly. Some positive measures like restoration of 4G connectivity and holding the District Development Council elections have succeeded in creating positive vibes. One sore point is the continued detention of many political prisoners which is resented to by Kashmiris.
- Here, New Delhi has to trade cautiously as the unraveling turmoil in Afghanistan owing to the Taliban’s advances will have ramifications. This is apart from the ongoing confrontation with China in Eastern Ladakh. Suspected drone sightings in recent days suggest cross-border terror activities will be sustained irrespective of political advances. Of course, J&K is not spared from the vagaries of the pandemic-induced slow down, and hence, the economic activity will have to see an uptick to boost the crucial travel industry as also generating enough job opportunities for the youth. The combination of democracy, statehood, robust economic activity, peace, and development would be the force multiplier merging J&K into the country’s mainstream.
