Jammu and Kashmir: Immediate answer comes as removal of Article 370. But in my opinion, he achieved bigger than that. If we closely follow track record of J&K, since accession to India in October 1947, the politics of Jammu and Kashmir were dominated by narration of separate Identity of Jammu and Kashmir as if it was only acceded with privileges unlike all other 560 provinces.
Modi in J&K
Instrument of Accession signed by Hari Singh, Maharaja of Kashmir is the same instrument signed by any other province. In fact, at some point, Union Government prepared to consider different Instrument of Accession to Nizam of Hyderabad. Due to his selfishness to become Independent Kingdom and with the advice of Jinnah, he rejected it and thereby we were saved. Later on 17th September 1948, he compelled to sign the original format only. As far as J&K, no such privileges were offered except small changes as offered to many Provinces.
However, due to mishandling of the situation by Nehru, several privileges were intruded at later stage just to please Shaik Abdullah. Since that time, J&K politics are moving around its separate and privileged status. Further, it was shifted to Hurriyat centric since 1990. Abdullah family lost its relevance. Syed ali Geelani controlled its narrative. Union Government always tried to placate him and his coterie. Central Government’s policies were only reactive but not pro active. So, the solutions are always made keeping sentiments of separatists. They dictated terms to the Union Government. Entire political class danced to their dictate. We are aware that there were occasions that Delhi leaders knocked the doors of Geelani but he refused to even open the gates. It is shameful on the part of leaders behaving in such a manner.
Modi came into power in 2014 and stopped to placate Hurriyat Conference leaders. They were fumed and reacted violently but there is no change in the attitude of Modi. That was the new beginning in the annals of J&K history. In the first term, tried to tackle this situation within the walls of existing system but knew pretty well, it will not work. He waited for an opportune time. Immediately after 2019 elections, he brought radical changes in the system by abrogation of Article 370 and also passing J&K Reorganization Act.
It is not the end of matter. It is beginning of new narration. The ball moved from Centre to State in reverse direction. State leaders whose writ prevailed all these decades understood that they cannot play the same game here after. They became reactive to the pro active steps of Modi Government. They refused to participate in the Panchayat elections but participated in DDC elections later. They refused to participate in Delimitation proceedings but later attended recent meeting. They refused to acknowledge Modi after arresting them and keeping them behind bars and developed lot of anger against him but later attended the All Party Meeting called by Modi.
Land rules were changed. Now, anyone can purchase land like in other States. Voter enrolment rules were changed like any other State. Reservations were introduced like any other State. Anti- Corruption wing and CVC were brought in like any other State. Local bodies were empowered on par with other States. Terrorism was under control. New recruitment to Terrorism has come down. Total grip came to our forces on the ground situation. That is why, Real Estate started coming. Today, Lulu group reached MOU to invest in food processing industry in Srinagar. Last week, Hiranandani and others reached MOUs in Jammu. All these results start coming in a year or two.
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All the above developments are a clear indication that narration shifted from J&K separatism to J&K as part of mainstream. Lot of future is waiting to J&K if things go on like this for few more years. Very soon, Delimitation Commission will announce its verdict and Elections will be completed after completion of 5 State Assembly elections and Amarnath Yatra in July-August. That means elections are likely to held September- October and thereafter Statehood will be granted. No one can stop this journey. However, it takes more time to change the outlook and mindset of Youth who were unfortunately influenced by radical Islam. Even in this segment, bright spots appeared in the last DDC Elections. Several young people got elected to DDCs as well as other lower local bodies. If the same trend continues in coming Assembly elections, J&K future will be very bright. So, the biggest achievement of Modi is changing the NARRATIVE. Entire credit must go to him and him alone for taking such risk. Kudos to his new approach in Jammu and Kashmir.
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