One year of Article-370 abrogation:

what has changed in Kashmir?...

On 5th August 2019, the GOI had abrogated special status to Jammu &
Kashmir and bifurcated the state in two union territories, directly
controlled by the central government. As BJP is scheduled to celebrate
the first anniversary of Article-370 abrogation, let us see what has
changed in Kashmir?..
As Article 370 abrogation has completed one year, internet shutdown,
lockdown, detentions and media blockade has also completed their one
year. Government has done everything to make sure that no Kashmiri
holds highest ranks in administration. After introducing new domicile
law government has done reshuffle and transfer of officials so that they
can provide domiciles whosoever they want. By introducing New media
policy the government want to control and suppress journalists and
media in j & K. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has withdrawn a
1971 circular that made it mandatory for the Indian Army to obtain a
“no objection certificate” to acquire land in J & K that means
government has given more power to army over civilian property
rights.
The mainstream politics in Kashmir has lost their meaning. There is
nothing that politicians can offer to people. National Conference (NC)
can no longer befool the people by the idea of so called “Autonomy”
and PDP can no longer talk of Kashmiri Identity and “Mufti Shahab Ka
Sapna” . Other political parties like Shah Faesal’s People’s Movement
and Engineer Rashid’s Awami Itehad Party has no relevance in Kashmir
because all these parties are based on the idea of self-rule that is over
now. With this political vacuum in Kashmir Hurriyat and other Pro
freedom politics have gained more support. Though the people in
Kashmir are silent but their minds and hearts are full of hate against the
current regime and main political parties in Kashmir. They are pleased
over the detention of political leaders and want them to remain in
detention forever. They no longer care about their release.
By releasing Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abdulla but not Mehbooba
Mufti the people believe in a secret deal between BJP and NC. With the
political crisis in Rajasthan, the theory of connection between Sachin,
BJP and Omar got some more air. This shows that people see all the
electoral political parties through the same eye.
Article-370 abrogation has made the life of normal Kashmiri harder.
According to reports Kashmir has suffered from loss of 40,000 cr. INR.
Apple industry, saffron and others businesses has suffered a huge loss.
The daily wagers like transport workers, shopkeepers, public transport,
street peddlers have lost their livelihoods. The false promises of
providing jobs to youth had not fulfilled by the current regime. By
providing class iv jobs to youth the government is clear on its agenda to
downgrade the people of Kashmir.
After removal of article 370 Kashmir has seen more military troops,
more restrictions, internet shutdown, demographic changes, more
hate against government, media blockade, criminalization of
journalists, no jobs, rise in depression and hopelessness among youth in
Kashmir, more detentions, more militant related incidents and more
violence.
Furthermore Kashmiris have started reading about the history of
Kashmir more than before. Hurriyat and other “pro freedom” political
parties will use this abrogation of article 370 as a tool to mobilize the
youth and will unite all fronts against the government. The future
Kashmir would see more protests, more violence and more militancy
and government to prove abrogation right step will suppress the voices
and more lives will be lost in this conflict zone.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the
authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency.
By: Syed Rasik
R/o: Baramulla, Kashmir
Currently pursuing Bachelors in computer science and Engineering.