Article 370: Kashmir leaders say that the removal of Article 370 has ended the autonomy of the state. The removal of Article 370 has increased the interference of the central government.
Kashmir. On August 5, 2019, the central government ended its existence and divided the state into Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and declared both of them as Union Territories. The government says that Article 370 was becoming an obstacle in the way of development and security in Kashmir.
It was necessary to take this decision for the development and security of Kashmir. According to the government, terrorism and separatism were increasing in Kashmir due to Article 370 and there were difficulties in connecting the people of the state with the mainstream of the country. The question arises whether Article 370 really needed to be removed? What changes happened after doing this?
- Supporters of Article 370 say that it protected the autonomy of Kashmir and helped maintain the special status of the state. They say that Article 370 gave the people of Kashmir the freedom to take their own decisions.
- The effect of Article 370 was that unlike other states, the Parliament had the right to make laws for Jammu and Kashmir on matters of defence, foreign affairs and communications, but to implement laws related to any other subject, the Centre needed the approval of the state government.
- Article 356 of the Constitution was not applicable here. Due to this, the President had no authority over this state.
- Article 360 of the Constitution, which provides for imposing financial emergency in the country, was also not applicable to Jammu and Kashmir.
- After the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was revoked under Article 370, peace has been restored and basic development of the state is being seen on the ground as compared to before. If we talk about the security front, terrorist incidents have reduced as compared to before.
Also, a framework for basic development has been prepared in the state, which is one of the important achievements for a sensitive state like Jammu and Kashmir. At the same time, the separatist forces who were trying to separate Kashmir from India were completely crushed there.
- If official figures are to be believed, incidents of protests and stone pelting have ended at the local level. The law and order situation has improved. Along with this, killings of innocent people have also been stopped. There has been an 81 percent reduction in civilian deaths. Along with this, there has been a 48 percent reduction in the martyrdom of soldiers.
- At the same time, the number of terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir has decreased as compared to the last few years after the removal of 370.
According to the data, till July 21 this year, a total of 14 security personnel and 14 civilians were killed, while in 2023, the number of people killed in 46 terrorist incidents and 48 encounters or anti-terrorism operations in the Union Territory was 44. Which included 30 security personnel and 14 civilians.
At the same time, according to the data, 70 percent of terrorist incidents in the state were stopped. The Modi government paved the way for restoring peace by eliminating terrorism, stone pelting and Pakistan-sponsored attacks in the valley and ensured development here.
The reduction in terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir is the result of the central government’s zero tolerance policy against terrorism.
- After the removal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, an initiative was taken to connect the state with democracy by conducting District Development Council (DDC) elections in the state in 2020.
The Modi government gave the benefit of reservation to the Valmiki community, mothers, sisters, OBCs, Paharis, Gujjar-Bakarwals, etc.
Development has been done in almost every sector in Jammu and Kashmir, including infrastructure, health, tourism, transport, industry, education, airport. Which is an important link for the development of the state.
- After the removal of Article 370, economic development is gaining momentum in the state. Private investors are showing interest in buying land and setting up companies in Kashmir.
Industrial development is being promoted in Jammu and Kashmir. This will increase employment opportunities and the people of the state will benefit from it on a large scale.
Also, the development of centuries-old religious places in Jammu and Kashmir is an important step towards the cultural reconstruction of the state.
This is opening the door to immense possibilities in the field of tourism. In this episode, a record-breaking increase in the number of Amarnath pilgrims is being seen this year.