by Pannalal Surana
For the whole year from 5th August 2019, the day Articles 370 and 35(A) were abrogated, BJP leaders including PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were telling the countrymen and also the whole world that the people of J&K are happy about that step. They were proudly saying that there was not a single voice of protest.
On 21st Aug 2020, five leading political parties namely National Conference, Indian National Congress, People’s Democratic Front, Indian People’s Front and CPM in a joint statement have said that they consider revival of Art 370 and 35(A) as the most important points on their agenda. On realizing that the people there would not like BJP, Shri Amit Shah had secretly helped launching of a new party for JK by the name ‘Apnee Party’. But sensing the mood of the Kashmiris, that party had also asked for restoration of full statehood for that state.
It is to be remembered that Mehbooba Mufti, under whose leadership the BJP had jointly run administration of that state for about three years, and as part of a common minimum program of two party alliance the BJP had put aside their demand about Art 370. Similar was the arrangement agreed to by former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee while leading the 23 party coalition in 2001-04.
When a party emphasizes the label of ‘party with a difference’ it should explain how it had put that item in cold storage if it was really having ideological faith in it. If that party had held abrogation of Art 370 as a matter of ideological faith, how far is it proper to have compromised on that issue when it wanted to occupy the seat of power?
On the basis of experience of 70 years since adoption of our Constitution, can it be inferred that the Article was in any way hindering the application of the laws passed by Indian Parliament to that State? It is a fact that all apex institutions like the Defense forces, Supreme Court, Election Commission, CAG, Research Bank of India, five-yearly Finance Commissions (which devises method of allocating shares to the States from the common pool of tax revenue of the Central government) have full and unhindered jurisdiction over JK also.
Then why did BJP make it such a sentimental issue all these years? It is reported that, as of today, 88% of the laws passed by the Indian Parliament are applicable to that State. That party was hampering on the issue of citizens of other States not allowed to purchase land in that State. It must be remembered that the law about that was passed as long back as 1927 by the then Maharaja of the J&K with the permission of the then British Govt. of India. And the rationale behind it is simple. Poor landholders of that State must be protected from the avarice of the big money pots.
Anybody can understand that hardly any peasant from UP or Bihar or Tamil Nadu would dare to purchase land in that state and run agriculture as an occupation there. The normal temperature in Kashmir valley and Ladakh for more than half a year is -5 degree Celsius. As of today, similar laws exist in States like Himachal Pradesh and all the seven sisters of the North East. BJP should realize that raising such sentimental issues does not help for the healthy development of the Nation.
It was obvious that no voice of protest could be heard during the last one year because there was complete blackout of political activities and also severe restrictions on the media. As of today, more than 5000 political activists are put behind the bar. Knowing full well about these realities, is it not hypocritical for a national party like BJP to say that there was no protest and further that people were happy with the steps taken on 5th August 2019?
One may recall a picture that had appeared in many newspapers immediately after 5th August 2019 in which National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was seen enjoying a lunch along with 3-4 persons on a big road on the background of closed shutters of all the shops. BJP should duly acknowledge its folly of thrusting draconian rule in that state for a full year. There were noises of protest raised in a number of Indian cities and also for asking restoration of full statehood to J&K by various political parties and the majority of the language dailies in the country. It should not shut its eyes and ears to the cries of hurt democrats all over India. Even at a late stage today, BJP should earnestly think about revising its Kashmir policy.
These days, the issue of freedom of expression has occupied the centre stage, thanks to the Supreme Court’s contempt proceedings against noted Advocate Prashant Bhushan. It may be recalled that a petition against the severe restrictions put on media in general and Kashmir Times in particular (leading daily of the State) filed by its editor Ms. Bhasin is still pending before the Supreme Court. One is pained to note that the Supreme Court, which has been empowered by the Constitution to serve as its custodian, is miserably failing in its duty.
Another matter to be discussed in brief is the hastening pace of development in that State which suffers from difficult terrain and climate hostile to economic activities like manufacturing. Abrogation of Art 370 was in no way relevant in this context. One should not visualize erecting huge factories as a mark of development there. Looking at its physical features, it is desirable to encourage sheep rearing, carpet and shawl making, farming of apples, saffron and such other quality products plus putting up necessary processing units and of course providing all logistics for promotion of tourism. Main plank of development is improving means of communication. All weather roads and bridges to be constructed. And railway network to be extended upto Srinagar within a short period of five years or so.
Many citizens earnestly expect BJP to revise its Kashmir policy, particularly when China is having ugly designs on its borders.
The writer is President of Socialist Party (India). Ph: 9423734089
