Dr Bharti Gupta
Over the years, various separatist movements have emerged in J&K, advocating for either greater autonomy or outright independence from India. These movements amplified feelings of distinct identity and separation. Separatism in Kashmir had contributed to a psychological disconnect between a chunk of people in the region and the rest of India before the abrogation of Article 370.
Separatist movements often highlighted grievances related to governance, political representation, and cultural identity. The separatist movements framed the struggle as a battle against perceived oppression or control by the central Indian Government and fostered it as an “us vs. them” mentality, creating a psychological barrier between Kashmiris and the rest of India. This psychological barrier was constructed based on the rhetoric of encouraging a sense of exclusive identity among its followers, emphasizing their distinct cultural, religious, or ethnic characteristics which used to lead to feelings of separateness from the broader Indian identity. Furthermore, they played the narratives of victimhood by emphasizing historical grievances, human rights abuses, and perceived injustices. These narratives successfully reinforced the feelings of alienation and anger, creating psychological distance from the larger Indian society.
The gullible people including youth who deeply got involved in separatist movements developed strong emotional bonds with the cause, leading to a heightened sense of identity that contrasts with a broader Indian identity. The presence of the separatist movement had created polarization within society, where people could align themselves with either the pro-separatist or pro-integration camp. This polarization had created psychological barriers that hinder open dialogue and understanding.
Moreover, a few media agencies also played an irresponsible role in fanning the psychological disconnect of Kashmiri Muslims. Media coverage of separatist activities shaped perceptions and opinions reinforcing the feelings of marginalization, oppression, and the need for separation.
Fuelled by separatism, the region has experienced decades of political unrest, insurgency, and violence. This prolonged conflict has contributed to feelings of insecurity, trauma, and a lack of trust in Government institutions, which lead to psychological distancing from mainstream society. This lack of trust further deepened psychological divisions between the state and the people.
This engineered ecosystem by the separatist leaders made individuals or groups feel that their political aspirations are not adequately represented within the mainstream political process which potentially created a sense of psychological isolation from the broader political discourse. The perceived marginalization has been a rallying point of the separatist movement causing immense psychological separation from a national identity.
The abrogation of Article 370 has brought Jammu and Kashmir under the same constitutional framework as the rest of India. This uniformity is argued to provide clarity and predictability in governance, potentially reducing confusion and psychological disconnect. This is because the abrogation has brought the region into closer alignment with the administrative and constitutional framework of the rest of the country. The current government aims to strengthen the sense of belonging to a larger Indian community and foster a sense of unity and inclusivity within the Indian nation by mainstreaming the disarranged people of Kashmir. Efforts have been made to integrate them into the broader political and social fabric of the nation, encouraging them to participate in peaceful political processes and dialogue. The varied approaches adopted include, for instance, sincere and constructive efforts through open and constructive dialogue between the government, society, and separatist groups. This dialogue has led to a better understanding of each other’s perspectives and contribute to the resolution of long-standing issues. However, in the process, the Government has strongly dealt with the separatist hardliner leaders who were enjoying luxurious life themselves at the cost of the lives of youth by luring them into violence. The effort has yielded results as it is now a reduction in violence contributing to a more stable and peaceful environment and fostering psychological well-being.
Abrogation of the article has helped the implementation of many schemes which were otherwise not implementable. Availing of such progressive schemes has created a sense of ownership among Kashmiris and has contributed to creating a feeling of belonging and attachment to the broader society.
Despite its special status before the abrogation of the article, Jammu and Kashmir had been facing challenges in terms of economic development and infrastructure growth. The government has launched development projects that are aimed at improving the basic infrastructure, education, healthcare, and employment opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir. These initiatives are designed to uplift the socio-economic conditions of the people and create a positive impact on their lives.
Various efforts towards mainstreaming have helped to normalize the identity of separatist groups within the larger national identity. This normalization has reduced the feelings of cultural or political alienation. Trust is a very important builder of cordial relationships. This can only be created and maintained if there is sincerity in the efforts of relationship building. The Government of India has been consistently doing good for the welfare of the people of Kashmir and that is doing great in earning the trust of the common man of Kashmir that is helping to foster trust between the community and the government. This trust-building process is crucial for addressing psychological barriers and building a more cohesive society.
The trust-building efforts have aimed to foster a sense of inclusion, promote development, and create a conducive environment for peace and stability.
Special economic packages have been announced to stimulate economic growth and address unemployment issues. These packages are intended to generate jobs and enhance economic prospects for Kashmiri youth.
Various youth engagement programs have been introduced to provide skill development, vocational training, and entrepreneurship opportunities for young Kashmiris. This helps empower youth and provide them with a sense of agency in shaping their future.
The government has engaged in political outreach by inviting mainstream political parties of Jammu and Kashmir to participate in discussions on the region’s future and development. This dialogue seeks to involve local leaders in decision-making processes.
Furthermore, engaging with local communities, civil society organizations, and religious leaders is crucial for building trust. The government has initiated dialogues and consultations to better understand the concerns and needs of the people from village, block, tehsil, to district levels through its respective administrative machinery. The abrogation is also justified on the grounds of promoting economic development and investment in the region. The Government’s intention is to bring in more industries, businesses, and job opportunities, which could potentially improve the standard of living and provide a shared economic future for both Kashmiris and people from other parts of India.
With greater integration, proponents believe that there will be increased cultural exchange and interaction between Kashmir and the rest of India. This could lead to a better understanding of each other’s cultures and traditions, fostering a sense of commonality and reducing feelings of isolation or estrangement.
It can be therefore said that the removal of Article 370 is a way to promote a unified national identity among all Indian citizens, including those in Jammu and Kashmir. By treating the region like any other part of the country, the Government aims to strengthen the sense of belonging to a larger Indian community.
(The author is from Central University of Jammu)
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