New Delhi
Article 370, which had given special status to Jammu and Kashmir in 1954, was supposed to be a “temporary” provision but continued for decades. Removing it became one of the three key targets of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, apart from implementing the Union Civil Code and the construction of a grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Article 370 not only held back the development of the economy of Jammu & Kashmir for too long, but also legitimised inhuman treatment against many sections of Kashmiri society, particularly women, refugees, SCs, STs and millions born in the state since.
The decision by the Narendra Modi government to revoke Article 370 of the Indian Constitution fulfilled a demand the RSS first raised in the 1950s, nearly three decades before the BJP was born. Te BJP was clear in the general election of 2019 that if they won a majority they would proceed with this move.
Four years after the Centre abrogated the special status of J&K on 5 August 2019, a high voltage G20 meeting became a reality in the valley and saw the arrival of international guests. It was quite a contrast from the time even domestic tourists stayed away from J&K.
After initial steps that clamped probationary measures for months in the Valley, today with the restoration of peace and developmental activities things are moving peacefully compared to the past.
In one of the key achievements, after more than three decades, social life in the erstwhile state in general, and in the Kashmir Valley in particular, has returned to normal without the routine disruption of protests.
Between 8 August 2016 and 2019, there were 124 civilians killed at the hands of police and security forces during these protests and stone-pelting incidents but not a single such incident took place in the last four years, official figures show.
There has also been a drastic decline in terror activities in the Valley. There has also been considerable decline in recruitment of locals into militancy between 2019 and 2023.
While 35 terrorists were killed in various operations by the security forces till 5 August this year, that number was over 120 in the same period last year. In 2022, a total of 186 terrorists, including 56 foreigners, were killed by the security forces.
Official data shows several infiltration attempts have been foiled this year and not more than 12 locals have joined militancy till July end, bringing down the active militant count to double digit. The improvement in the security situation was evident when on 3 August, a grand event at Government Degree College (GDC), Shopian, witnessed participation of hundreds of students. And all this in a district which not long ago was said to be the hub of militancy.
Encouraged and assured by the safe environment in J&K, investment projects worth nearly Rs 25,000 crore are under execution in the UT while proposals to the tune of over Rs 80,000 crore are under process. Compare this to private investments of Rs 14,000 crore only that the erstwhile state received since Independence.
After the abrogation of Article 370 and introduction of new Industrial Development Scheme, the UT has received investment proposals worth Rs 81,122 crore in the last two years.
Sharp rise in footfall of domestic and foreign visitors has helped tourism in J&K to scale new heights, making the Union Territory (UT) one of top destinations in the country. Last year the UT received 1.88 crore tourists. The administration expects that the arrivals will breach the two crore-mark this year.
The best part, there are no longer any takers for strike calls imposed by separatists and militants in Kashmir. Before 5 August 2019, not only businesses, but the education sector in Kashmir suffered immensely due to frequent strike calls.