A state that was struggles with its new identity

Arun Joshi

The state of Jammu & Kashmir ceased to exist in 2019, a momentous development that shook both history and geography. J&K was split into two union territories, minutes after the striking down of Article 370 and Article 35A, which granted special status and special rights and privileges to permanent residents of the state. It was argued that J&K and its people have been made part of India, all in one move. That the high walls of constitutional barriers had been demolished and the Kashmiris were now equal with the rest of the countrymen.

History is going to record 2019 as a year in which hopes of bringing development by decimating terrorism and secessionism were ignited and a new narrative was inducted. However, search for hope is yet to begin and the old and complex issues yet to be resolved. There is talk of a roadmap, but it seems lost in the complexity of the situation.

August 5 was the day J&K’s history, geography and political landscape changed forever. There had been a rallying cry for abolition of the special status of J&K by the people who felt discriminated and suppressed by “Kashmiri domination”. The Centre heeded to it. Special status was withdrawn and the state divided into two.

Looking ahead

The division was a positive response to the aspirations of the Buddhists of Ladakh who had long wanted UT status. But the people of Jammu and Kashmir were dismayed despite their aggressively conflicting narratives on the special status of the erstwhile state. The UT is considered as demotion and the promise to restore its statehood is not even audible now. 

A clampdown followed. The government boasted of a pleasant sounding “zero bullet, zero casualty” phrase. It credited this “success” to the way it handled the situation in the Valley of eight million that had earned the reputation of erupting. True it was, but what was left unsaid was that the Kashmiris behaved responsibly. Their silence spoke much louder than the noisy and bloody protests for which they were known for.

As the year draws to an end, there is no talk of Kashmiri aspirations. Their urges have been made part of the narrative of development and bright future. That feeling of Indianness is so close, yet so distant. The distance cannot be measured by the hyperbolic language as the vestiges of the initial lockdown continue to dominate the narrative. Even as things are easing up somewhat, the kind of roadmap that was to come up post August 5 is yet to be fully unveiled. The most optimistic assessment would be that it is a work in progress.

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The highs

Zero casualty

The unprecedented lockdown in the Valley did not result in any casualties. The way the highly combustible situation was dealt with saved an uncalculated number of lives. The government showed that it could deal with a potentially explosive situation with ease. This was a singular achievement in itself.

Lok Sabha polls sans bloodshed

The violence-free parliamentary elections in May were the big success story of the year. It was a big blow to the terrorists and their mentors across the border. This was reiteration of the Indian democracy in J&K, which witnessed. many upsets. The National Conference won all three Lok Sabha seats in the Valley, while the BJP maintained its supremacy in the rest of three seats in the Ladakh and Jammu regions.

Grievance redressal in villages

Back to village — a new concept of sending government officers to villages to assess the problems of the people was undertaken in 2019. The officers went to the villages and recorded grievances of the people. Some of these were addressed, despite overall complaint that the promised action was not taken in most villages. But this well-intentioned programme won appreciation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Anti-corruption drive

The Anti-Corruption Bureau set up in November 2018 was given sharp teeth as it took on the high and mighty in J&K. The ACB has infused a sense of fear among corrupt politicians and bureaucrats. Its dragnet is widening and so is the fear among the corrupt in the system.

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The lows

Pulwama attack

The February 14 terror attack in Pulwama, South Kashmir, killed more than 40 CRPF personnel in what was the deadliest attack on security personnel in the 30-year-old militancy in Kashmir. The suicide attack by terrorists belonging to Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad exposed the lapses in security and intelligence network in J&K. The attack bore gruesome similarities to the bloody acts of terror in Syria, Yemen and, closer home, Afghanistan, jolting the whole nation. It continues to challenge the narrative of national security despite the air strikes at the terror-training camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan.

IAF chopper shot down

The February 27 miscalculation about an Indian Air Force chopper and its downing by a missile showcased lack of communication. Seven security personnel were killed, exposing our weaknesses.

Amarnath yatra comes to a halt

The premature closure of Amarnath yatra on August 2 was unprecedented. Pilgrims were ordered to vacate the Valley. That there was a big terrorist threat to them turned out to be a smokescreen.

Communication blockade

After the lockdown, internet and mobile phone services and landlines went dead. The move cut off the Valley from the world, affecting economy and education. 

Political detentions continue

Political leaders in Kashmir, including three former CMs — Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti — are still under detention, almost five months after Article 370 was scrapped.