There is also the expectation of expanded economic opportunities and better job prospects. Investors from India are looking forward to investing in hospitality, service, and other sectors of the new Union Territory.
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Srinagar: On August 5, India celebrated the first anniversary of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government’s historic decision to abrogate Article 370 and 35(A) related to the state of Jammu and Kashmir and its bifurcation into two Union Territories, being administered directly from New Delhi.
The decision has proved to be a momentous one as it has ushered a new era of peace and development for the Kashmir Valley. This change was long due. There was always recognition among the ordinary Kashmiris that the special status that the Article 370 gave to Kashmir had benefitted only the local politicians to keep alive anti-India sentiments in the Valley. Beyond that, it did not help the region much in terms of economic development and governance. However, fearing violent reprisals, many dared not to speak out against this and no government before Prime Minister Modi’s dared to scrap it. But now that the Modi government has crossed the Rubicon, it is just a matter of time before Kashmir sees peace, stability, and development.
In the run-up to the decision, as a matter of precaution, the administration had suspended mobile communications, put mainstream and separatist leaders under house arrest, and imposed the strictest curfew seen by Kashmir in decades. While many howled at the alleged ‘repression’ of Kashmiris, the fact which no one can deny is that post-August 5, Kashmir witnessed hardly any protests or loss of civilian lives – a crucial detail, which was missing from many national and global reportage.
Ordinary Kashmiris were thankful that the vicious circle of violence that Kashmir has seen previously, peddled by the ‘azaadi’ brigade was laid to rest for once. A perceptible change on the ground in the last one year has been the dramatically reduced hold of the separatist leadership, which had made protests and ‘hartals’ as its main activity. This activity had only adversely affected the ordinary Kashmiris, especially those whose livelihoods depended on daily earnings. In the past many months, Kashmir has not seen any such ‘hartal’ or protests and ordinary Kashmiris have been able to carry on with their business and earning their livelihood. Another noticeable change is the significant decline in stone-pelting incidents. No doubt, separatist leaders’ detention has contributed significantly to this state of normalcy.
The most significant change, however, is in terms of disrupting the local recruitment to the terrorist groups. Before August 5, 2019, Kashmir used to see on an average 10-15 youth joining the Hizbul Mujahideen and other such groups, every month. Reversing this trend was one of the biggest challenges for the local security establishment. Absence of violence post-August 5 and the social media restrictions imposed by the authorities have played a big role in nullifying this trend. It has denied the terrorist commanders and their masterminds based in Pakistan the much-craved anti-India narrative and propaganda, to brainwash the local youth. As a result, there has been a perceptible decline in local recruitment.
All these changes have given hope to the Kashmiris about better prospects for their families and the region. Bashir Ahmed, a shopkeeper from Anantnag echoes these sentiments. Ahmed said, “The abrogation of the Article 370 surprised me just like any other Kashmiri. On the morning of August 5, I woke to a lull. I proceeded to open my shop, but was scared of protests. Ever since the restrictions have been eased, I have regularly opened my shop. Not much has changed for me personally, but hopefully, soon enough I’ll be able to see better days and light at the end of the tunnel.”
While the mainstream and separatist leadership remains under detention and house arrest, political activity has not stopped in the Valley. This was evident from the successful holding of the Block Development Council elections in October last year, which saw unprecedented polling of over 98 percent and no violence. As expected, the locus of the region’s politics has shifted from the one based on grievance and corruption to one focused on the development and solving people’s problems. As a Sarpanch from south Kashmir’s Shopian noted, “The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed down work, but I am looking forward to some tangible change and helping the people. The government has promised us more funds to build new roads and carry out other developmental work.”
There is also the expectation of expanded economic opportunities and better job prospects. Investors from India are looking forward to investing in hospitality, service, and other sectors of the new Union Territory. This will offer newer opportunities for youth who so far had been used as bait for radicalization by the terrorist groups. For local businesses, this also means an opportunity to expand businesses. A businessman, who doesn’t want to be named, said, “As the owner of a hotel chain, I see the abrogation of Article 370 as a glimmer of hope. It has been received well in my circles. The ability to purchase land will lead to a bigger and diverse group of hotel chains to invest in resorts like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonmarg. More hotels mean more accommodation choices for people. This will boost tourism. That’s a big opportunity for local employment. We have seen a good influx of tourists, and hopefully, it will steadily rise as we come out of the pandemic.” He added, “Many investors have contacted me regarding my hotels in Gulmarg. It is a very positive thing for hoteliers everywhere. Soon you will see Hyatt, and other big brands in Kashmir’s hill stations.”
Naturally, this sudden change from violence and pessimism to normalcy and optimism has not gone down well with Pakistan and those who benefitted from Kashmir’s conflict. As a result, we have seen newer and more insidious attempts from Islamabad to disturb the normalcy in Kashmir and propagate lies about India.
However, what Pakistan doesn’t realize that its propaganda has not received global traction, because the world has seen through its hypocrisy and its role in fuelling violence.
As Kashmir marks the first anniversary of August 5 decision, ordinary Kashmiris are looking forward to a life of peace, stability, and honor – something which has been denied to them for decades. Analyzing the people and their concerns, this is what all local Kashmiris dream for – to have a better future for their kids and a peaceful society to live in. Kashmiris are against any violence and they want to be the part of the violence-free nation.-By Yasir Ahmad
Author Yasir Ahmad is a Srinagar-based journalist. He can be contacted at – Email: yasirrather81@gmail.com
