Post Art 370 revocation, Jammu hopeful of growth on ‘first I-Day’

Vikram Sharma
Tribune News Service
Jammu, August 14

While Jammu braces up to observe the ‘first Independence Day’ after abrogation of Article 370 from the state, an uneasy calm marks celebrations as indecisive views prevail over the repercussions of the Centre’s decision.

“All I know is that we are now relieved from the hegemony of Kashmir-centric politics which had affected our identity. The Centre taking control of things here may bring equal development for the whole union territory,” said Rakesh Mahajan, a government employee.

The youth of Jammu, most of whom presented an aggressive posturing against the Kashmir dominance, said all successive governments prior to the NDA had been in an appeasement mode for Kashmir. “The abrogation of Article 370 and making J&K a UT will now bring equal share and development,” said Arvind Ananad, a college student.

Meanwhile, there is jubilation among people over the state’s ‘first Independence Day’ after abrogation of Article 370.

“It seems that for the first time, the Tricolour will be hoisted in the state under total integrity. Otherwise, we often used to get news of it being burnt in the Valley or Pakistan flags being hoisted, which used to hurt our sentiments,” said Sheetal Malhotra, a housewife.

Vivek Gandotra, a government official, said while people in both regions of Jammu and Kashmir were still in an indecisive mindset about the results of scrapping Article 370, he was confident that the Union Government, having taken such a historic decision, won’t allow the situation get out of control.

“We don’t know what lies in store for us after this decision. But we are quite positive that things will normalise on the militancy front and development may come for the entire state,” he said.