Prof AN Sadhu
Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed many-a-change in the previous year and should be poised for a new look in 2025 and thereafter. The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, in its new format of reduced geographic domain and political status, went for elections after 10 years. No doubt, the elections were welcomed by one and all, but everything must not have gone along their expectations. The elections were a feverish exercise because the same were held after the August 2019 changes; reducing the mighty state to a union territory and stripping it of its special status by abrogation of Article 370 and 35A. The 2019 changes were not universally accepted for different reasons. Primarily, the state shrunk geographically and demographically besides socio-culturally as well, enhancing its exclusivity as against an inherent character of inclusivity – which would often tempt the writers to call it a mini-India besides always being treated as crown of the country. The 2019 changes were not only viewed from a political point of view but also from a socio-cultural and strategic point of view. The BJP lived to its stand that once in power, it will abrogate Article 370 to bring the state at par with other states of the Indian Union. However, there are some protective constitutional provisions for north-eastern states and could the same be extended to J&K after abrogation of Article 370, should be left to political and constitutional experts. In any case, the changes of 2019 were received with a mixed reaction.
The Government’s stand that the changes of 2019 will open new vistas of socio-economic transformation ushering the J&K into a vibrant developmental scenario, was carried out during the last 5 years with reasonable success. Be it roads and buildings, railways and airways, or tourism and investment, promoting entrepreneurial development, it has received adequate attention of the Government. Inspite of all this visible change, it appears that a feeling of annoyance of not keeping the promises made to the people of J&K by the constitutional pundits is there. A reflection of this grievance was amply revealed in the Kashmir valley where electorate voted enbloc in favour of NC who fought the election on the promise to the people that it will work for restoration of the constitutional provisions as existed before August 2019. An additional striking feature of the elections held in 2024, was that while NC is deep-rooted in Kashmir so is BJP in Jammu. There has hardly been any notable response towards the other political parties. It might result into an ideological conflict, constricting the future socio-economic development of the union territory or the state – after this status is restored to it. The union territory has witnessed quite a few other developments during the last five years in terms of reservations to some sections of population; redrawing of parliamentary constituencies and policy shifts in handling cross-border terrorism. All these changes lead to several challenges in the post-election period and therefore 2025 will be a testing time for the Government to evolve a workable strategy to see its things through for an all-round satisfaction of the electorate across the board.
The full statehood will have to be restored as soon as possible to let the local leadership play its role in the changed political scenario. Not only will it index the response to changed political status of J&K, it may also pave a way for a better centre-state relationship to yield political dividends- both at national and international level. The sensitivities of the border state cannot be overlooked and the same will have to be addressed by remaining engaged in confidence building measures. More investment of time is required in awareness programmes on developmental premises than on ideological contours. India is a young nation and youth are interested in better quality of life than in ideological sophistication. Every Indian is proud of his glorious civilization. The restoration of statehood will also be desired to have a single line administrative control which will augment the systemic efficiency and responsibility towards a better administrative and political management. Dichotomous model is likely to result into conflicts even with bonafide intentions due to perceptive differences. This might at times impede the smooth functioning of the system unless there is adequate inbuilt flexibility to evolve a reconciliatory resolution.
Ideological conflict cannot be left to squabbles inhibiting the smooth functioning of the Government, nor can an ideological hiatus be enforced to let the things move forward. The leadership has to aim at development targets which warrants a meaningful synchronisation of ideas towards maximisation of benefits to the people. Jammu and Kashmir has a rich historical record of peace, tolerance, and brotherhood particularly during the period of Dogra rule and that should stand in good stead in the years to come to ensure that the union territory keeps pace with the socio-economic development in fast-changing world.
The biggest challenge for the Government is to ensure the return and rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits with full arrangements for their dignity and security. 36 years is not a small period for any Government to ensure the rehabilitation of aborigins to their homeland. There is encroachment on the community’s religious endowments and private properties and hardly any serious effort of the Government is visible to stall these onslaughts. The attempts to distort the names of age-old religious places of the Hindus should be checked immediately and distortions done away with. The truth cannot be concealed. Both the state and central Governments are duty bound to address this problem without further delay. The continued conundrum of return and rehabilitation is not a healthy reflection on the largest democratic polity of the world.
The Government – both state and central – should not let the next 5 years be consumed by conflict. The statesmanship demands that development is prioritised over ideological concerns. Let the youth not sit idle and get exploited to harm the society. Occupational diversification mainly in agricultural and tourism sectors should be promoted to generate more job avenues for the youth. With improved road, rail and air connectivity, the state should witness an increased industrial activity particularly in Jammu division which has easy access to nearby markets. J&K is geo-strategically very important and shall always need special attention. Hopefully the J&K is in for a better tomorrow.