How much J&K changed since removal of Article 370?

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had clearly stated in an interview on March 24 that the central government is considering the removal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from Jammu & Kashmir. He also mentioned the plan to withdraw troops from the valley. He said that the Narendra Modi government has prepared a plan

On August 5, 2019, five years ago, with the permanent abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu & Kashmir, India truly became one from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Previously, due to Article 370, many laws and regulations of the Indian Constitution were not applicable in Jammu & Kashmir. As a result, Jammu & Kashmir was lagging behind other States in terms of development. Pakistan, with its support, was perpetuating terrorist activities there. Gunshots and bomb blasts were commonplace in the state. There was incessant stone-pelting on civilians and security forces. The murders of innocent civilians were not taken seriously.

When Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu & Kashmir in Parliament on August 5, 2019, the nation was taken aback. After all, the country had been convinced that abrogating Article 370 was impossible. The special status granted to Jammu & Kashmir was abolished. The State was also divided into two parts. This decision was supported by the BJP and its allies, along with some opposition parties.

Undeniably, after the abrogation of Article 370, terrorism in the State has been significantly curtailed. Stone-pelting has stopped, and tourists have begun visiting the valley. However, in recent times, attempts have been made to revive terrorism from across the border in the Jammu region of the state. These attempts are being met with a strong response.

When will the elections be held in the State?

Meanwhile, India’s Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, along with other senior election officials, is visiting the State capital Srinagar on August 8. He will stay in Srinagar for two to three days, meet with various political parties and prominent citizens, and assess the situation in the state. The announcement of the State assembly elections is likely to be made after the election commission team returns from Srinagar. It is certain that the elections in the state will be held in September. After that, assembly elections will be held in the state every five years, just like in other States. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also promised to form the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly by the end of September 2024. The Supreme Court has instructed the Election Commission to complete the state assembly elections by September 30.

What is going to happen?

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had clearly stated in an interview on March 24 that the central government is considering the removal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from Jammu & Kashmir. He also mentioned the plan to withdraw troops from the valley. He said that the Narendra Modi government has prepared a plan. Under this, the central military forces will be withdrawn from Jammu & Kashmir. Jammu & Kashmir Police will be made specifically responsible for the area. Currently, the local police, in an auxiliary role, are leading all anti-terrorism operations alongside the central forces. The Jammu & Kashmir Police is being strengthened. Moving forward, the central forces will support them from behind. In recent times, some terrorist incidents have occurred, and innocent lives have been lost. Some brave soldiers of the security forces have also laid down their lives for the country.

Terrorists had attacked a bus carrying pilgrims in the Reasi area of Jammu & Kashmir. Ten innocent people were killed in the attack. A few days before that, a tourist bus was also attacked in Pahalgam. The opposition parties had also targeted the government over this incident. The government has taken these incidents seriously. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, have said that the government is working to uproot and wipe out the roots of terrorism from Jammu & Kashmir.

According to sources, before the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir, stone-pelting incidents were leading to injuries and deaths. Attacks were being carried out on security forces, which have now declined by 80-85 per cent. The government claims that terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir has decreased by 70 per cent.

After the abrogation of Article 370, the central government launched a major plan to revive the State's ancient civilization and culture in the valley. Under this, centers of faith and spiritual sites were renovated. Various fairs and festivals were organized to promote local culture. These fairs and festivals had been closed for years due to the rise of terrorism. In 2023, the Maa Sharada Devi Temple, located near the Line of Control, was rebuilt and opened for worship for the first time after independence. The Kheer Bhawani temple, which had been closed for years, was reopened for darshan and worship. The Kheer Bhawani fair was held. Tourists, along with local people, flocked to the fair in large numbers. The government has restored and repaired 123 old sites, including temples and Sufi shrines, and reopened them for the public.

The central government has provided Rs. 42 crore for the development of the historic Hazratbal shrine. Mega cultural events were organized across the State.

The most important thing is that after the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir, the Panchayati Raj Act 1989 was implemented in the State. The objective was to implement all three tiers of democracy, the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary, and to strengthen the democratic process. At the time of the last Lok Sabha elections, about 58 per cent voter turnout was recorded for the five Lok Sabha seats in the State. This level of voter turnout was not seen in the last few Lok Sabha elections in the State. Is this not considered a remarkable achievement?

Talking to the common people in Srinagar markets, it seems that while the people of the State may not have completely forgotten Article 370, they don't have time to discuss it. They now want to move forward. They yearn for peace and a brighter future.

(The author is Delhi-based senior journalist and writer. He is author of Gandhi's Delhi which has brought to the forth many hidden facts about Mahatma Gandhi)