Priya Sethi
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Union Govt’s historic decision of abrogating Articles 370 and 35A of the Constitution of India despite having been criticized by the opposition parties especially the Kashmir centric political parties has proved to be the most effective step towards transformation of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. This stands evidenced by the unprecedented developmental pace that people of this region are witnessing for the first time. Moreover, the people here are getting a real feeling of good governance augmented by transparency and accountability with the wrong doers and culprits being made to face the tune of law. The most wanted change that is visible on ground post Aug 5, 2019 is that the era of openly raising antinational slogans especially pro Pakistan slogans by even the mainstream party leaders thereby inciting the people in Kashmir is almost over. The reason for this success is action under the existing as well as other laws brought after Aug 5, 2019 pertaining to sedition and other antinational activities. It would not be out of context to mention here that once even the National Conference legislator Mohd Akbar Lone shamelessly raised Pro-Pak slogans in Legislative Assembly and went scot free. However, as of today not only there are provisions to book people indulging in such shameless antinational activities but these provisions are now being proactively used against the enemies within as a result of which such elements are totally frustrated today and none can dare to resort to such antinational activities.
Further strengthening the nationalistic vision and patriotic temper among the youth the Govt has taken a remarkable decision of naming the educational institutions including the schools, colleges and universities after Martyrs and prominent social activists and personalities who have upheld the pride of the nation. This step will go a long way in spreading awareness about the pride personalities of the nation especially those belonging to this Union Territory among the future generations especially with the aim of augmenting nationalistic and patriotic urge among the youth.
It would not be wrong to state that even today a negligible number of people in Jammu and Kashmir know about the relentless efforts of late Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Pt Prem Nath Dogra towards strengthening nationalism in J&K. Dr Shyama Prasad always believed that the Article 370 was the greatest impediment in the path towards complete integration of India and Kashmir and this founder of Jana Sangh laid down his life for the cause of complete integration of Kashmir and for abolishing the permit rule from Kashmir.
By scrapping Article 370 and 35A the Modi led Union Govt has fulfilled Shyama Prasad Mukherjee’s dream and this decision will undoubtedly be considered as one of the biggest historic steps by the Modi Government towards bringing a paradigm shift in the J&K’s scenario that has a far reaching impact upon the national scenario.
It cannot be denied that the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir stands totally transformed today moving from terrorism to tourism and pellets to ballots. The incidents of unabated stone pelting have become a thing of the past in existing scenario. Curfews, forced-protests, and bandh calls incited by Pro-Pak elements are nowhere on the Valley’s colourful canvass for the past over two years. To conclude in simple words it has to be acknowledged by one and all that the novel approach adopted by the Union Govt on Kashmir policy ‘Justice to All, Appeasement of None and Zero Tolerance towards elements trying to disturb peace of the UT be it terrorists or other disgruntled elements in the society’ has beyond any doubt succeeded in bringing a paradigm shift in the situation, hence resulting in the much needed transformation of this region.
(The author is a senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.)
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