Transformed Kashmir is a tribute to Dr S.P. Mukherjee
In post-independence India, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, the founder of the Jan Sangh, emerged as a prominent and vocal critic of Article 370.
The Nehruvian state cancelled two great leaders, the founders of the Bharatiya Jan Sangh— Shyama Prasad Mukherjee [1901-1953] and N.C. Chatterjee [1895-1972]. Does anyone in the post-independence generations know these leaders who were cancelled by the ecosystem of the Nehruvian state. S.P. Mukherjee, a brilliant speaker who challenged the Nehruvian state was systematically marginalized and the case of his death in custody in Jammu and Kashmir has raised several unanswered questions. The removal of Article 370 is a tribute to this great leader and martyr. He fought vehemently against the partition of Bengal and if there is state called West Bengal today it is due to his courage to speak about the atrocities against Hindus.
In post-independence India, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, the founder of the Jan Sangh, emerged as a prominent and vocal critic of Article 370, advocating the end of the special status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). His steadfast opposition was encapsulated in the famous
[A country cannot have two constitutions, two prime ministers, and two emblems].” The removal of the temporary Article is indeed the courage of conviction of the present Government and a paradigm shift in uniting India finally.
Mukherjee, however, was not alone in recognizing the potential dangers of a special status for J&K. B.R. Ambedkar, the visionary architect of India’s Constitution, shared similar concerns. The initial draft he submitted had no provision for such special status. When Nehru’s associate, N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar, sought its inclusion, Ambedkar refused to attend the session, which passed the motion to include Article 370. Ambedkar strongly objected: “You want India to defend Kashmir, feed its people, give Kashmiris equal rights all over India. But you want to deny India and Indians all rights in Kashmir. I am the Law Minister of India, I cannot be a party to such a betrayal of national interests.”
ARTICLE 370 ABROGATED
The watershed moment of abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganization of J&K realised Mukherjee’s vision and honoured the legacies of stalwarts like Ambedkar and Sardar Patel, who considered such exceptions detrimental to India’s unity. Provisions meant as exceptions could not and should not become norms or tools for anti-democracy elements. Despite this, sceptics persist in scrutinizing and questioning the legitimacy of the changes resulting from this decision. Four years after the pivotal move, tangible and intangible transformations have occurred in J&K. Tangible changes include improvements in infrastructure, agriculture, industry, and various socio-economic indicators.
Furthermore, progress is evident in irrigation projects, road infrastructure, and across sectors like healthcare, tourism, and education, which are experiencing developments that previously remained unavailable to the people of J&K. The more noticeable consequence of the abrogation is an intangible transformation in the mindset of J&K that has created an environment conducive to progress and inclusivity, thereby shifting the atmosphere from hostility to a welcoming, constructive, and empowering environment. Home Minister Amit Shah succinctly highlights the change, noting that the youth of J&K are now “taking computers in their hands instead of stones.”
ECONOMY & INFRASTRUCTURE
J&K’S economic landscape has undergone an unprecedented transformation, with the Gross state Domestic Product (GSDP) rising significantly from Rs 1 lakh crore in FY2014-15 to Rs 227,927 crore in FY2022-23. Notably, investments surged from Rs 297 crores in FY2019-20 to Rs 2,153 crore in FY202223, totalling Rs 5,319 crore between 2019-20 and 202324. The highest investment occurred in FY2022-23, showcasing not only the economic growth of J&K but also its potential as an economic powerhouse contributing to the Indian economy. Amidst broader political shifts, J&K’S education system is also gaining attention, moving beyond separatism. Government investment is evident in increased educational infrastructure, with functioning colleges rising from 94 to 117, a 33% growth over four years. Notably, prestigious institutions like one IIM, one IIT, and two AIIMS have enhanced higher education. Medical colleges have nearly doubled from four to seven, and 15 new nursing colleges have been established.
FAREWELL TO TERRORISM
The government’s unwavering zero-tolerance policy against terrorism has yielded encouraging results, successfully dismantling the terror ecosystem and ushering in a sustained period of peace and stability in J&K for the first time since the 1990s. These collective efforts are visibly reflected in a notable decline in terror incidents, contributing to a congenial atmosphere. From 2018 to November 2023, there has been a significant reduction in terrorist-initiated incidents by 81.14%. Civilian casualties have decreased by 76.36%, and the number of security personnel killed in action has seen a reduction of 72.53%. Notably, encounters have decreased by 74.60%, signalling a shift from a heavy-handed approach. One of the most significant achievements is nearly eradicating stonepelting incidents, dropping to zero in 2023 from 1,767 incidents in 2018. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the government’s approach in curbing not only major security threats but also addressing incidents that could potentially escalate tensions in the region. The overall statistics underscores the transformative change in the security landscape of J&K.
INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT
The recent passing of the Constitution (J&K) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha is a noteworthy development that bestows Scheduled Tribe status upon tribal communities like Pahari, Padari, Koli, and Gadda Brahmin. This legislative move underscores the government’s commitment to acknowledging and uplifting marginalized communities in J&K. Post-abrogation, another fundamental change in J&K revolves around women’s improved status and opportunities. Earlier, women faced lamentable conditions due to inadequate laws and poor implementations, subjecting them to patriarchal constraints. Restrictions on life decisions, like marrying outside Kashmir, deprived them of domicile privileges. The abrogation has empowered women to retain property even if they marry outside the state. By dismantling discriminatory practices, it has expanded their choices. Moreover, the emerging economic opportunities in J&K enable women to enter the workforce and contribute to PM Modi’s clarion call for women-led development.
In essence, J&K has transformed from a liability to a value addition simply because the government unapologetically removed discriminatory provisions from the Constitution. This, in turn, defanged vested interests that hindered the people of J&K from fully integrating with the rest of India. Post-abrogation, the government’s interventions, rooted in the spirit of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vishwas,” have led to inclusive development and steered J&K towards a collective journey of progress and trust-building while fostering J&K’S contribution to Viksit Bharat. Finally, it is a tribute by PM Modi, the tallest spokesperson of the story of democracy to one of the cancelled makers of the Indian Constitution, Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee by the Nehruvian state.