The intent of the Prime Minister Modi-led government is clear of bringing the J&K Union Territory on par with the rest of India in terms of necessary frameworks of governance
@the_news_21
Srinagar: The day of August 5, marked the first anniversary of the historic step taken by the Government of India of abrogating the special status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and its bifurcation into two Union Territories (UT) – the UT of J&K and UT of Ladakh. The move was historic because both Article 370 and 35 (A) which gave the erstwhile state of J&K, special status was treated by successive governments as a permanent feature of Kashmir’s political landscape.
In reality, however, this status was misused by Kashmir’s political elite to preserve their dominance, even as the Valley descended into misgovernance and corruption. There was a strange kind of nexus between separatists and mainstream political parties, which was intended to divert every resource of the state to fulfill their interests and pockets.
This misuse of state power and loot of public money only brought upon a system of political patronage and pushed the whole Jammu and Kashmir into mess and backwardness. On practically every count of development- economic activity, education, infrastructure, healthcare, Kashmir lagged. Moreover, the record unemployment rate, higher than the rest of India coupled with backdoor recruitment, frustrated the talented local youth.
The heady cocktail of separatism and militancy only worsened this situation as the local youth disappointed with nepotism and corruption, became cannon fodder for the militancy even as the kith and kin of separatists studied in foreign universities and landed cushy jobs. This insurgency took a toll of more than 40,000 civilians, cost trillions of rupees of economic loss and shattered Kashmir’s communal harmony, with the forced exile of Kashmiri Pandits. A once progressive society, proud of its intellectual legacy and pluralistic outlook, was reduced to a pale shadow of its former self.
The historic decision of August 5 last year to abrogate the special status was intended to rid these ills and create a Naya Kashmir. It sought to end political chaos, integrate people of J&K, especially youth with the rest of India, end embezzlement and corruption, and ensure prosperity, accountability, and development. The mostly peaceful reaction to this move of the government demonstrated people’s hope that a change was in the offing.
The absence of violence showed that people of Kashmir are inherently peaceful, and it is Pakistan and the separatist leadership, which has time and again muddied the waters of Jhelum. Their penchant for violence had spilled the blood of innocents. Adequate arrangements were put in place to ensure that no loss of life and property can be claimed. It was accompanied by a communication blackout, for some time so that no misuse could take place. Not a single protest was held against the decision as the usual rabble-rousers had been put behind bars.
The bifurcation of J&K state into the two UTs was meant to ensure better governance with direct oversight from New Delhi. And indeed, the change is apparent in the tone and tenor of administration, with top officials making certain that ordinary Kashmiris do not face any administrative lapse.
With the abrogation of special status, more than 100 progressive laws were extended to the new UT, including the Right to Education, Right to Work, Juvenile Justice Act, Women Representation Act, etc. While it is too early to comment on the implementation of these laws in the new UT, the intent of the government is clear of bringing the J&K UT on par with the rest of India in terms of necessary frameworks of governance.
Prime Minister Modi also took the unique initiative of outreach to the Kashmiris by directing his cabinet ministers to talk directly with the people and frame policies accordingly. The government also took a delegation of foreign diplomats to Srinagar to enable them to take stock of the situation first hand by talking to the different sections of the society including, students, journalists, professionals, etc. in Jammu and Kashmir.
A direct positive outcome of the August 5 move has been the decline in public support to the separatist cause and militancy. People have shown no interest in the petty politics of the separatists. Frustrated, its leaders have now started to quit, forcing the Hurriyat and its ilk to suggest talks. Reduction in violence is being felt, and the rate of local recruitment in militancy has also declined. As expected, Pakistan has tried to keep the pot boiling by instigating disgruntled elements and terrorist violence (including cranking up the infiltration), but it has mostly failed.
The administration is also working to ensure a better job situation. Around 12,000 job vacancies have been advertised since August 5 for the educated youth. Besides, approximately 81,000 vacancies in various government departments are being filled, and 50,000 more are expected to be filled in the ongoing financial year. In a highly appreciated move, widows divorced or judicially separated women and orphan girls have been given reservation in this new recruitment process.
And it is the first time that youth are applying for these jobs on a large scale, as they are hoping that the recruitment happens on a fair basis, without nepotism. The government is also wooing investors from outside with a global investment summit for industrial development.
Many business houses have expressed willingness to invest in J&K, which will further expand job opportunities. Clearly, efforts are on to usher in a new dawn of development and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir. The politics of a small elite class has ended, and a more democratic way of life has been unveiled. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic may have slowed down this process, but it has just reinforced this perception of improved governance.
A responsible UT Administration is taking all steps to ensure people are not inconvenienced. It has announced a mega COVID-19 relief package for poor and destitute people, over and above the central government package. It is undertaking home delivery of essential supplies and bringing stranded Kashmiris home from other cities of India and outside. Such initiatives on the part of the UT Administration have been highly appreciated.-By S Ahmad
Author: S Ahmad is a Srinagar-based researcher with a focus on India’s foreign and security policies.
The Author can be contacted on his Email ID: sajadahmad1993@rediffmail.com
