5 Years of Article 370 Abrogation: J&K Journey towards Prosperity
News Kashmir Analysis
On August 5, 2019, the government of India abrogated Article 370 of the Indian Constitution with a presidential order, and parliamentary resolution overturning a dark status quo that had lasted for nearly 70 years. The erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir had been granted a special status under which it had its own constitution and autonomy in its internal affairs.
These five years have ensured much peace and prosperity.
PM Narendra Modi, speaking in Kargil, recently highlighted the upcoming fifth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5. He emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir is now talking about a new future and big dreams, with its global recognition bolstered by hosting important events like the G20 summit. Alongside infrastructure development, the tourism sector in Jammu, Kashmir, Leh, and Ladakh is rapidly growing. After decades, cinemas have reopened in Kashmir, and for the first time in three and a half decades, the Tazia procession was held in Srinagar.
On February 7, 2024 ,
The Central government informed the Rajya Sabha that an investment of over Rs 5600 crore has been made in various sectors of Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
Responding to allegations that the Union government taking over responsibility of Jammu and Kashmir Police is a “trojan horse,” the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, “If at all, there was a trojan horse in regards to J&K, it was Article 335A and Article 370.”
“We are taking the burden of J&K Police money so that J&K administration will have more money for development. But the oppositon is trying to create doubt about India’s governance and federal structure,” she added.
The Rajasthan government has included the celebration of the abrogation of the Constitution’s Article 370, which stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its semi-autonomous status, as “Swarnamukut Diwas”, the birthdays of Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, and 16th century Mewar ruler Maharana Pratap in the annual school calendar.
Expert pulse is abrogation of Article 370 and 35 A gave dignified lives to the refugees from West Pakistan, daughters of the soil, Valmiki Samaj, PoJK displaced people and more rights to women among others.
The tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir has seen significant growth since the abrogation of Article 370, with a total of 1.08 crore tourists visiting in the last six months this year, as per the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). According to a report provided to the MHA by the Jammu and Kashmir government, the sector has maintained an annual average growth rate of 15.13 percent over the past three years.
Undoubtedly, on 5th Anniversary of article 370 abrogation we are seeing much optimism.
