Impact Of Abrogation Article 370 On Jammu And Kashmir

 “Unprecedented era of peace, progress and prosperity?”

Article 370 was incorporated into the Indian Constitution in the year 1949. It allowed the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir to have its own constitution, a separate flag and independence over all matters barring the subject of foreign affairs, defence and communications. Prior to August 5, 2019, the valley of Kashmir in particular, and state in general, was trouble-torn as it was prone to agitational dynamics, nepotism, terror activities, infiltration, failure of administrative machinery and ineffectiveness of democratic setup.

Be that as it may, after more than three decades, public and social life in the erstwhile state in general, and the Valley in particular, are back to normal routine, without any disruptions. This is wholly credited to the complete and utter nullification rather abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution of India, thereby resulting in reorganization of the former State of Jammu & Kashmir and its integration into mainstream India. The aforementioned is propounded because the stupendous decision of August 5^th, initiated a series of socio-economic transformative changes with respect to both the new Union Territories (i.e. Union Territory of Jammu-Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh), it’s people, and it’s potential for growth. Thereby ushering Jammu & Kashmir towards a path of peace and progress.

We shall dwell into variegated sociopolitical, economic and security metrics, so as to ascertain the impact of changes (if any) that have taken place in the aftermath of nullification rather abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution of India. To begin with, dwindling statically figures on Infiltration across the Line of Control (LoC) have been a vocal indicator of the improving health of the region. Since 2019 up to 2022 we can notice a stark fall in the infiltration attempts, eventually petering down to mere four attempts. This is despite the fact that a plethora of terrorist launch pads continue to operate in POK, however this has failed to translate into increased activity across the LoC remarkably since the year 2019. Secondly, restoration of administrative control within Jammu and Kashmir has instilled confidence in potential investors, translating into proposals worth Rs 80 thousand crore in the pipeline. This is in stark contrast to the modest Rs 14000 crore that Jammu and Kashmir have received from private investors ever since independence.

Thirdly, having invested five times more pre-capita investment in the erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir in comparison to densely overpopulated states, such as Uttar Pradesh, the central government came up with Jan Bhagidari, that is a portal aimed at empowering people by facilitating them in monitoring the progress of various development initiatives. Thereby, cultivating a greater degree of transparency and trust in the populace. Fourthly, with improved law enforcement, security and dwindling terror instances, there is a gargantuan leap in the footfall of tourism within the valley, making it one of the top tourist destinations within the country.

Last year itself 1.88 crore tourists were recorded visiting Kashmir. Which is an unquestionable indicator of the improving socio-economic health of the region. Fifthly, mainstream parties such as National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party having being deprived of their accession centric narrative in light of abrogation of the state’s special Constitutional status, educational institutes are now no longer vulnerable or plagued by frequent strikes, stone pelting and instances of violent disruptions, which greatly hindered the academic environment of educational institutions.

From the aforementioned metrics it can be conclusively said that the indicators reflect a substantial changing life in particular and environment in general in the trouble-torn erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir, however complete and conclusive, peace and normalcy is still a far-fetched goal to be achieved by the Union of India.

Ideas, Opinions and Views expressed in articles are Writer’s own and may not be in accord with those of The Morn