Jammu and Kashmir Today- One year after the removal of Article 370

 Reported by Lakshmi Karlekar

The Department of International Studies, Political Science and History, CHRIST (Deemed to be University)  in collaboration with National institute of Advanced Studies, IISC, IPRI network, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Mysore University, Stella Maris College, Jain University, Kristu Jayanti College and Pondicherry University conducted a guest lecture on Jammu and Kashmir Today- One year after the removal of Article 370 by Dr Amitabh Matoo, Professor of International Relations at Jawaharlal Nehru University. Dr D Suba Chandran, Dr Madhumati Deshpande, Dr Manoharan N, Dr Bharati Hillmath, Dr Subramanyam Raju and Dr Pankaj Madan.

Dr Suba Chandran, Dean of International Relations at National Institute of Advanced Studies Indian Institute of Science welcomed Dr Amitabh Mattoo, Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

Dr Pankaj gave a note on Dr Amitabh Mattoo’s profile. Dr Amitabh Mattoo, an expert into Jammu and Kashmir politics both from the internal and the external dimension was happy to invite Dr Mattoo by IPRI-International Peace and Research Initiative on its Peace Lectures which not only looks at the conflict side but also approaches a solution side and an expertise in International Relations.

Also due to the Catholazing effect of Dr Suba Chandran has made a collaboration of colleges visit this Webinar which has garnered insights. The Professor highlighted that Jammu and Kashmir has been a bone of contention between Pakistan, China and India which has drawn the attention of the international world and especially with reference of the UN bodies. Citing Mr Kapil Kappu, a Kashmiri who has spoken a lot on the same.

Dr Suba Chandran stated that the Peace Lecture Series is an initiative being carried by NIAS for the past 1 ½ years and has been attended by esteemed thinkers from all over the world like Professor Raj Mohan Gandhi, Professor Wagner, Dr Ihuler, Dr Dieter etc. Dr Suba Chandran posed three sets of questions to Dr Amitabh Mattoo namely-

1) One year before on 4 August, 2019 the state of Jammu and Kashmir as a unified state embellished with constitutional provisions and one year later where does these 3 constituents- Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh stand and has the situation improved for the better?

2) From the perspective of Delhi, the government in Delhi has made certain changes in the past one year in these three constituencies with certain objectives varying from arenas such as administrative, constitutional changes which are strategic moves by the government. Do you think that this has led to any significant changes in terms of successfully achieving those objectives.

3) In terms of international objectives, last year around this time, it can be taken notice that the world, even our neighbours perceived Jammu and Kashmir in a very different perspective and in this context where do we stand internationally today? Is our situation better or do we amend for certain changes?

Dr Suba Chandran introduced Dr Amitabh Mattoo stating it indeed an honour to introduce such an esteemed faculty who has seamlessly and tirelessly worked towards the progress of academics and also a teacher to many of the professors in the panel. As a great teacher, he was successful in building a generation of scholars. Amitabh Mattoo, a Kashmiri by birth completed his graduation from Kashmir University, later worked as the Vice Chancellor of Jammu University, Special Advisor to the Chief Minister of the PDP government. He also established Australian -Indian Institute at Delhi in collaboration with the Melbourne University. Hence Professor Mattoo has seen Kashmir from both inside, outside academic and from an administrative perspective, posing as the right panellist to speak on the occasion of one-year completion since the abrogation of Article 370 and creation of three constituents.

Dr Amitabh Mattoo initiates the talk by stating the Delhi centric view, the south Indian point of view which are contradictory based on the myth that the south Indians are not worried about contingencies issues of international relations. But this is falsified as there are varied voices from South India and do not consider Kashmir as a sole north Indian issue. On 4 August 2019, the abrogation of Act 370 and 35 A led to the formation of two major Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The constituent of special status was here diluted. On 5 August 1955 two Gujjars one in the Guru mar Valley and the other in the Poonnch area. There are speculations that Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was the strategist behind Operation Gibraltar which aimed at sending infiltrators to spark off a rebellion in the valley. As per the intelligence and assessment reports of Pakistan a pre assumption was made that Kashmir was a ripe fruit ready to be divided and as per plan by 8^th or 9^th August Shaikh Abdullah would declare independence and victory over Kashmir but the two Gujjar Indians outsmarted them and identified the infiltrations and informed the 120^th Brigadier Headquarters making the infiltration to be null and void. Pakistan has always mis assessed the situation and failed to regard that Kashmiris has such great affection for India. Also, there is a belief that there is a Pakistani constituency in Kashmir and needs to be constantly backed up with the help and support of Pakistan.

The idea of India has been reinforced time and again. Post one year of the abrogation it is crucial to understand on how well it has been received by the Kashmiri community. As per the evidence collected from elections, empirical studies, surveys are anecdotal. Dr Amitabh Mattoo has assessed it with five parameters namely 1) Approach of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Kashmiri Pandits. 2) Major economic developments 3) Militancy 4) Good governance 5) the influence of Pakistan

Anodically  on 4^th August 2020, with reference to Ladakh, Leh and Kargil have shown enthusiasm over the fact that it has been declared Union Territory. The only opposition stems from the Shias of Kargil. But over the time there is a gradual acceptance in the context of Leh and the surrounding Buddhist areas there is wider recognition. The dissentions were only due to political pressures rather than grass root level articulation. Ladakh, in terms of territory is the largest in area but is sparsely populated and still is heavily being subsidised. The integration of the Ladakhi’s has led to political, social and economic empowerment but it is being slightly undermined by the Kashmiris. When the slogan of Hind Chin Bhai Bhai was making rounds the Ladakhi’s had firm opposition against it. They were the foremost spectators to throw light to their fellow Indians on the vested motives of the Chinese via their surplus intervention and infiltration which is seen till date in the Galwan Valley case and firm opposition to the firm objection of the Indian market being flooded with the Chinese goods was also being highlighted upon.

The expression to that popular feeling was given by non-political identities such as Sonam Wangchuk who is the Magsaysay Award Winner with the tool of social media propagates the idea of boycotting China. It was done way prior to banning of Chinese apps and goods currently. The politicians and civil servants of Ladakh are curious, genetically so programmed, socially acute or culturally so norm driven making them work towards the society in an honest manner. They exaggerate the difficulties of administration and are committed to the development of Ladakh. The development of Ladakh model without creation of havoc in the environment has to be adopted into different states of India. In Ladakh and Kargil, one is greeted by the posters of Khomeini.  Hence the story of Ladakh with the nuance of Kargil is the unequivocal success of what happened on 5 August 2019.

On the other hand , regarding Jammu division in the administration includes both Muslim majority districts (Eg: Jenab valley, Rajouri and Poonnch) and the Hindu majority districts (Eg: Udhampur, Samba). The story is mixed here as in the Muslim areas, there is great deal of disagreement and resentment whereas the Hindu areas witness huge amounts of support also that the penetration of Sangh Parivar and RSS has made its strong foothold. The Pranth Pracharaks, Mr Indreesh and Mr Arun have worked towards having a strong Hindu majority. The domicile status may deprive the Jammuites of government jobs and other benefits that come with it is a common notion. The Dogra’s, Marshall race, Rajput’s have rights to have buy lands here but it is absent for the larger population of the fellow Indians especially that of South India. So, there is a reverse demographic invasion. As far as the valley is concerned, there is no articulation of mainstream voices and no large section of population has come out in the support of this regard. Article 370 destroyed the mainstream and its power of greater autonomy with the high levels of corruption and deceit in the valley being practiced and propagated its resemblance even till date. Hence, we might observe that the public sentiment ahs intensified over the year. Also, not to forget that 1 year is a very short span in a Republic when compared to the potency of Article 370 which was lost in the years of History itself. Now, it is a mixed picture over geography and there is no spectacular growth being witnessed in terms of economic, political etc which highlight the idea of integration.

In terms of militancy, there is no dramatic shifts in terms of militant incidents and there is no effective good governance but in return a semi empowered Panchayati Raj and Bureaucracy can be noted. There is no democratic leadership which is in charge of governing Jammu and Kashmir till date in the last 72 years. Psychologically it has developed feelings of separatism. The new Apni political party has cannibalised the other mainstream parties and presented itself as a party which would look beyond what has taken place with respect to the abrogation.

The objective of Central Government was to end Article 370 to constitutionally integrate it into the Indian Union and receive huge domestic approval. But now the government needs to integrate them with better quality of life, better governance, greater development, higher growth in human development indexes needs to be focussed on. It mustn’t be a dogma of political culture and questioning on the abrogation of Article 370 is not the central basis of any political party. In terms of International responses from US, Germany, Russia, there is a silent acceptance of the same keeping in mind of the severity of the actions of the hostile Pakistan. But most importantly, domestic acceptance is requiring but that only is not being integrated. The demotion of Jammu and Kashmir as a Union territory has created greater disinfection. It can be corrected by acting on the issues that have risen in the last one year- governance, statehood, democracy in the form of elections.

Dr Suba Chandran thanked Dr Amitabh Mattoo for giving us with a detailed insight and a narrative on academic, political and emotional views.  This was followed by the question and answer sessions dealing with varied aspects and themes such as benefits and lacuna for the Kashmiris, democratic governance, lack of political freedom, detainment of political leaders, curfews being imposed, detainment of traders, internet ban, increased in the militancy activity, scope of decentralisation process, prevalence of terrorist activities, ratification of laws by Supreme Court, gender discrimination of women – limited rights when married to a non-state subject and to be non-claimants of property rights, derailment of law and order process, incompetent agents of the state, suppression of democratic decent, security prism, de-operational of article 370- monumental or perceptible change (symbolic and substantial)?, increasing paramilitary forces and their role and on economic prosperity in the Valley- horticulture, tourism, high tech industries, IT services as the promise. Also, the panellists posed questions to Dr Amitabh Mattoo regarding perspectives on suggestions to be given to the government in terms of development of Jammu and Kashmir and the Valley and the advice to be given by the politicians put under house arrest and how should their response be for the abrogation of Article 370. There were tackled and skilfully answered by Dr Amitabh Mattoo.

Dr Manoharan N imitated the vote of thanks to Dr Amitabh Mattoo. The entire webinar concluded on a positive note and was successful in tinkering the young minds with knowledge.