"....for the last seven decades, these places (in Jammu and Kashmir) have witnessed the worst form of violence and instability, something which the wonderful people never deserved," PM Narendra Modi in his blog on the Supreme Court verdict on the abrogation of Article 370.
“Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh’s breathtaking landscapes, serene valleys, and majestic mountains have captivated the hearts of poets, artists and adventurers for generations. It is a place where the sublime meets the extraordinary, where the Himalayas reach for the sky, and where the pristine waters of its lakes and rivers mirror the heavens," he writes.
“Unfortunately, due to centuries of colonisation, most notably economic and mental subjugation, we became a confused society of sorts. Rather than taking a clear position on very basic things, we allowed duality, leading to confusion. Sadly, Jammu and Kashmir became a big victim of such a mindset.
"At the time of independence, we had a choice of making a fresh start for national integration. Instead, we decided to continue with the confused society approach even if it meant ignoring the long-term national interests," Modi writes trying to b critical of the Congress party and its policy in Kashmir since the time country's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Referring to the role played by illustrious Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the PM said, “I have had the opportunity of being connected with the Jammu and Kashmir Andolan from a very early part of my life. I belong to an ideological framework where Jammu and Kashmir was not merely a political issue.
But, it was about addressing the aspirations of society. Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee held an important portfolio in the Nehru Cabinet and could have remained in government for a long time. Yet, he quit the Cabinet over the Kashmir issue and preferred the tough road ahead, even if it meant paying with his life."
"His efforts and sacrifice led to crores of Indians becoming emotionally attached with the Kashmir issue. Years later, Atal Ji, at a public meeting in Srinagar gave the powerful message of 'Insaniyat', 'Jamhooriyat' and ‘Kashmiriyat’, which has also always been a source of great inspiration, the Prime Minister said.
It was always my firm belief that what had happened in Jammu and Kashmir was a great betrayal- to our nation and to the people living there. It was also my strong desire to do whatever I can to remove this blot, this injustice done to the people. I have always wanted to work to alleviate the suffering of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
In very basic words- Articles 370 and 35 (A) were like major obstacles. It seemed like an unbreakable wall and the sufferers were the poor and downtrodden. Articles 370 and 35(A) ensured that the people of Jammu and Kashmir never got the rights and development that the rest of their fellow Indians got.
Due to these Articles, a distance was created between people belonging to the same nation. Due to this distance, many people from our nation who wanted to work to solve the problems of Jammu and Kashmir were unable to do so even if they clearly felt the pain of the people there.
As a Karyakarta who has seen the issue closely over the last several decades, I had a nuanced understanding of the specifics and the complexities of the issue. Yet, I was crystal clear about one thing- that the people of Jammu and Kashmir want development and they want to contribute to the development of India based on their strengths and skills.
They also want a better quality of life of their children, a life free from violence and uncertainty.
Thus, while serving the people of Jammu and Kashmir, we gave primacy to three pillars- understanding of the citizens' concerns, building trust through supportive actions, and prioritising development, development and more development.
"In 2014, just after we assumed office, deadly floods struck Jammu and Kashmir, with a lot of damage in the Kashmir valley. In September 2014, I went to Srinagar to assess the situation and also announced Rs. 1000 crore as a special assistance for rehabilitation, signalling our government's commitment to supporting the people during crises.
I had the opportunity to meet people from different walks of life and there was one common thread in these interactions- the people not only wanted development but they also wanted freedom from the rampant corruption prevailing for decades.
The same year, I decided not to mark Diwali in remembrance of those we lost in Jammu and Kashmir. I also decided to be in Jammu and Kashmir on Diwali day.
In order to further strengthen Jammu and Kashmir’s development journey, we decided that our Government ministers would frequently go there and interact with people directly. These frequent visits also played a crucial role in building goodwill in Jammu and Kashmir.
From May 2014 to March 2019, over 150 ministerial visits took place. This is a record in itself.
The special package of 2015 was a significant step in addressing the developmental needs of Jammu and Kashmir. It contained initiatives for infrastructure development, job creation, tourism promotion and support to the handicraft industry.
"We harnessed the power of sports in Jammu and Kashmir, recognising its potential to ignite the dreams of the youth. Through sporting initiatives, we witnessed the transformational impact of athletic pursuits on their aspirations and futures. Sporting venues were upgraded, training programmes were organised and coaches were made available.
"One of the most unique things was to encourage the setting of local football clubs. The results were outstanding. The name of the talented footballer Afshan Ashiq comes to my mind- in December 2014 she was a part of a stone pelting group in Srinagar but with the right encouragement she turned to football, she was sent for training and excelled in the game.
"I recall interacting with her in one of the Fit India Dialogues where I said its time to move over ‘Bend it like Beckham’ because it is now ‘Ace it like Afshan.’ Other youngsters began to shine in kickboxing, Karate and more.
The Panchayat polls were also a watershed moment in the region’s quest for all-round development. Once again, we were faced with a choice of either remaining in power or standing by our principles- the choice was never tough and we let go of a Government but preferred that that ideals that we stand for, the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir are given top priority. The success of Panchayat polls indicated the democratic nature of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
My mind went back to an interaction I had with Pradhans from the villages. Among other issues, I made a request to them- that at no point must schools be burnt and that must be ensured. I was delighted to see that this was adhered to. After all, if schools are burnt the biggest sufferers are the small children.
The historical day of 5th August is etched in the hearts and minds of every Indian. Our Parliament passed the historic decision to abrogate Article 370. Since then, much has changed in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. The judicial court verdict came in December 2023 but seeing the wave of development across Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, the people’s court have given a resounding thumbs up to the Parliament’s decision of abolishing Articles 370 and 35(A) for four years now.
At a political level, the last 4 years have been marked with a renewed faith in grassroots democracy. The women, tribals, SC, ST and marginalised sections of society were not getting their due. At the same time, the aspirations of Ladakh were totally ignored. 5th August 2019 changed all that.
All Central laws now apply without fear or favour Representation has also got more widespread- a three tier Panchayati Raj System is in place, BDC elections have been held, and refugee communities who were all but forgotten have begun to enjoy the fruits of development.
Key Central Government scheme have attained saturation levels, thus covering all sections of society. These include Saubhagya, Ujwala and Ujjwala schemes. Strides have been made in housing, tap water connection and financial inclusion. Healthcare, otherwise a major challenge for the people has witnessed an upgradation of infrastructure.
All the villages achieved ODF Plus stats. Government vacancies, which were otherwise a den of corruption and favouritism have been filled in a transparent and process driven manner. Other indicators like IMR have shown betterment. The boost to infrastructure and tourism has been for everyone to see.
The credit for this naturally goes to the resilience of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who have shown time and again that they want only development and are willing to be drivers of this positive change. Earlier, there was a question mark on the status of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Now, there are only exclamation marks about record growth, record development, record tourist inflow.
In its verdict on 11th December, the Supreme Court has strengthened the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ - it has reminded us that what defines us is the bonds of unity and a shared commitment to good governance. Today, every child born in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh is born with a clean canvas, where he or she can paint a future full of vibrant aspirations.
Today, the dreams of the people are no longer prisoners of the past but are possibilities of the future. After all, Development, democracy and dignity have replaced disillusionment, disappointment and despondent."
Congress changes stance on Article 370 from Opposition to reservation ::: Shah says "Had I been a Congressman, I would have gone into depression"
The Home Ministry was in the process of implementing a “zero terror plan” which was brought into operation three years ago.
“I am confident the Modi government is coming back to power in 2024 and by 2026 there will be 100% implementation of the plan,” Amit Shah says.
Home Minister Amit Shah said in Rajya Sabha, "Had I been a Congressman, I would have gone into depression following the Supreme Court verdict".
Congress changes stance on Article 370 from Opposition to reservation
"Ghor parajay mein vijay kaisey dhun-na iske kala koi aap logon se sikhle (On the face of most serious dubbing and yet claim is an art that people should learn from you," Home Minister Amit Shah said in the Rajya Sabha during debate on two bills related to Jammu and Kashmir. "This is certainly a big art...".
The Home Minister said, "If my views on abrogation of Article 370 was like Congress party and leaders, after seeing the Supreme Court verdict, I would have gone into depression and stayed away from Parliament for a month".
It may be stated here that the Congress initially strongly opposed scrapping of Article 370 and even joined 'Gupkar Alliance' in demanding for its restoration, but later it distanced itself from Gupkar and nuanced its position. The Congress stance in Rajya Sabha on Aug 5, 2019 when the Bill for abrogation of the controversial Article 370 and Article 35A) were taken up led even Assam MP Bhubaneswar Kalia quit the party.
He later joined the BJP.
On Monday, Dec 11, 2023 as the judgement came, senior Congress leaders (and also two lawyers) P Chidambaram and Abhishek Singhvi, spelt out the party’s position at a press conference in Delhi. Shah in Rajya Sabha even referred to the media briefing saying the Congress leaders even held a press conference today.
Chidambaram, also a former Home Minister, said the verdict needed a “careful study”.
“Prima facie, we respectfully disagree with judgment on the manner in which Article 370 was abrogated”.
It may be recalled, reacting to the Supreme Court’s judgment upholding the BJP-led Modi Govt 2.0 August 5th 2019 move to abrogate Article 370, the Congress demanded “immediate restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir”.
The party also demanded that the Assembly elections in J&K be held immediately.
This has been its stand over the past few years. While the party has remained ambivalent over the question of restoration of Article 370, it has been pressing for early polls in J&K.
For all practical purpose, Shah held the bull by its horns or the utmost raw nerve and said, "At today's press conference the Congress party said even after the judgement came we consider (that is the Congress considers) that the Article 370 was abrogated in a wrong manner". In this context, he pointed the abrogation was done following the parliamentary procedures and both the Houses of Parliament had endorsed the Presidential order".
"Mr Chairman sir, I cannot make the Congress understand the practical ground situation," he said albeit in a lighter vein.
At the media conference, Congress leader Chidambaram also said -- “Full statehood must be restored immediately. The aspirations of the people of Ladakh must also be fulfilled. We welcome the SC direction to hold Assembly elections. However, we believe elections should be held immediately and there is no reason to wait till September 30, 2024".
“We are also disappointed that SC did not decide the question of dismembering the state and reducing its status to two union territories,” Chidambaram added.
Abhishek Singhvi said, “Democracy, and not autocracy, is the demand of every citizen of Jammu and Kashmir. Why is the BJP afraid of an elected government?”
No wonder as pointed out, the Congress party's stance was 'different' when the Modi government abrogated Article 370 and split J&K into the UTs of J&K and Ladakh by passing the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation legislation in Parliament in August 2019.
The Congress leaders had then voiced its 'strong opposition' to these measures.
At a meeting on August 6, 2019, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) attacked the government on the manner in which the abrogation was carried out. The CWC argued that Article 370 was the constitutional recognition of the terms of the Instrument of Accession between J&K and India in 1947, saying it deserved to be honoured till the time it was amended after consultation with all sections of people and in strict accordance with the Constitution.
On August 4, 2019, a day before the Centre moved to scrap Article 370, several J&K parties, including the PDP and Congress, met at the residence of National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah at Gupkar Road in Srinagar. They issued a joint statement on defending Article 370.
A year after the abrogation of Article 370, leaders of these parties, including the Congress, again met to uphold the Gupkar declaration, which said the parties would strive for the restoration of Articles 370 and 35.
Subsequently, this grouping of seven parties took a formal shape as the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) in October 2020, resolving to contest the District Development Council (DDC) elections together. The Congress also joined its seat-sharing talks.
In November 2020, however, the Congress said it was not part of the PAGD. The decision came after Union Home Minister Amit Shah called the PAGD the “Gupkar Gang”, and said it, along with the Congress, wanted to “take J&K back to the era of terror and turmoil”. Calling it an “unholy global gathbandhan”, Shah said the PAGD wanted “foreign forces to intervene in J&K”.
Speaking after unfurling the tricolour in Srinagar on January 29, 2023 as he wrapped up his cross-country Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul Gandhi was in fact non-committal on the question of restoration of Article 370.
When pointed out specifically that the CWC resolution was not clear on whether the Congress would restore Article 370 if voted to power, he said, “My position on Article 370 and the position taken by the Working Committee is very clear. I will hand you the document…you can read it. That is what our position is.”
The political resolution that the Congress leadership discussed at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) plenary session in Raipur the following month was also silent on restoration of Article 370 if voted to power.
The resolution said the Congress would strive to restore complete statehood for Jammu and Kashmir and bring Ladakh under the protection of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, although there was no mention of Article 370 in it.
Incidents of stone-pelting fell in Kashmir post Article 370 scrapping
Union Home Minister Amit Shah says the much controversial Article 370 was the foundation of secessionist sentiment in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and also encouraged separatim elsewhere.
The Modi government (2.0) has pushed Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act which was passed by Parliament in August 2019. The law not only abrogated Article 370 and Article 35A, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, it also bifurcated it into two Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.
The government says there was a decline of 70% in incidents of terrorism, 72% in deaths of civilians, and 59% decline in deaths of security force personnel in J&K between UPA (2004-2014) and NDA (2014-2023) periods.
According to data available with MHA till 2021, while in Jan-July 2019, 618 incidents of stone pelting were recorded in the Valley, it fell to 222 for the same period in 2020 and just 76 in 2021.
Corresponding injuries to security forces in these incidents also reduced from 64 in (Jan-July) 2019 to just 10 in 2021.
BJP MPs are also referring to these figures rather liberally in both the Houses of Parliament and also outside. They also say Infiltration from 141 in 2019, has dropped to 48 in 2023.
The highest drop was witnessed in injuries to civilians due to pellet guns and baton charge. In Jan-July 2019, 339 civilians sustained injuries in such incidents. This reduced to just 25 in 2021.
Since 2022, the J&K administration has been collating overall law and order data which includes stone pelting incidents among other public order issues. According to this, there were just 20 incidents of ‘law and order’ in J&K in 2022.
** There was not a single incident of stone pelting in Kashmir in 2023.
Under UPA in 2010, 2,654 such incidents took place. In 2010, there were 132 organised strikes in Kashmir, while in 2023 none was recorded.
The Modi government also says the actions taken by NIA against Hurriyat leaders — most are in jail currently on charges of terror funding — and crackdown on alleged terror financing have also contributed to bring the change on ground.
In fact, NIA has registered 32 cases of terror financing.
Special Investigation Agency under J&K administration has also registered 51 cases with regard to terror financing. As many as 229 arrests have been made in these cases.
NIA has also taken measures against various non-governmental organisations, accusing them of promoting secessionist sentiments, fired government officials on charges of being Pakistan sympathisers, and dealt with dissenting voices rather harshly.
The period post August 5, 2019 has also seen an increase in the arrest of over-ground workers (OGWs) of militant groups, which shot up from 82 in (Jan-July) 2019 to 178 in 2021.
The “acts of terrorism” have witnessed a decline of 32% since August 5, 2019 (up to June 6, 2022) compared with the same period preceding the decisions.
Similarly, deaths of security forces have seen a drop of 52%, while those of citizens by 14%. A reduction of 14% has also been recorded in “admission of terrorists”.
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