| Unique, historic is this August 15 for people of J&K, Ladakh | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 14: Things in the erstwhile State of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh have changed, and changed completely. All this happened on August 5 and 6, when PM Narendra Modi and HM Amit Shah suddenly withdrew from the state its 70-year-old separate status and integrated it into India 100% -- politically, constitutionally, financially, socially - overlooking the opposition in Kashmir from a handful of vested interests and their supporters in Delhi and elsewhere. They also broke the nearly 180-year-old state (created by Maharaja Gulab Singh of Jammu) into two Union Territories -UT of J&K and UT of Ladakh - again ignoring the opposition in Kashmir from the vested interests, who had misgoverned the state for 70 years, enslaved and exploited the people of Jammu and Ladakh and repeatedly blackmailed and threatened the weak-kneed ruling elite at the Centre.
So, the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh will celebrate August 15 under these changed circumstances with the almost all Kashmiri leaders, the so-called mainstream and separatist, behind bars or under house arrest.
Fifteen reasons why this August 15 will be unique for the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and the nation as a whole:
One, the State of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh has ceased to exist; it stands dismantled.
Two, UT of J&K and UT of Ladakh have been created out of it.
Three, the separate Jammu & Kashmir Constitution no more exists. It has been replaced by the Constitution of India. In other words, no separate status to any of the three regions of the erstwhile State of J&K and all in the erstwhile state of J&K will now have only one citizenship - Indian citizenship.
Four, the separate J&K flag no more exists; now only one flag - national tri-colour - flies high throughout the length and breadth of the UTs of J&K and Ladakh.
Five, the archaic Ranbir Penal Code or Ranbir Dand Bidhi and local laws now no more exist; now, the people get justice under Indian justice system.
Six, women of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh now enjoy equal status with men; they can marry any person anywhere in the country and her children would now exercise all rights in the UT of J&K and UT of Ladakh, including the right to inherit their mothers' properties located in Jammu or Kashmir or Ladakh.
Seven, refugees from Pakistan, members of Valmiki Samaj, Gorkhas and Marathas living in Jammu since decades will now enjoy all rights which are available to all the Indians.
Eight, the so-called 1952 Delhi Agreement between Nehru and Sheikh Abdullah has become redundant. It was not an agreement; it was, in fact, a statement made by Nehru in the Lok Sabha.
Nine, the 1974 Indira Gandhi-Sheikh Abdullah Accord has also become history. It had empowered Sheikh Abdullah to review the Central Laws extended to J&K since August 9, 1953. On August 9, 1953, Sheikh Abdullah was dethroned and put behind bars under the charge of sedition.
Ten, the 1986 Rajiv Gandhi-Farooq Abdullah Accord has become a thing of the past. This accord was responsible for the rise of separatism and terrorism in the Valley and the wholesale rigging of the 1987 assembly polls only created Salah-ud-Dins in Kashmir.
Eleven, the 2011 interlocutors' report on J&K will remain locked in some ulmirah in the South Block or the North Block or will be thrown into dustbin. It had considered Jammu and Ladakh as irrelevant and suggested that "Temporary" Article 370 be made a "permanent provision of the Indian Constitution".
Twelve, three Working Groups' atrocious reports on Jammu & Kashmir have lost all their relevance; they have become a thing of the past. J&K would have virtually gone out of India, had the Congress-led UPA Government implemented these reports.
Thirteen, all the orders of J&K Government, including the order of February 14, 2018 under which a particular section of society was allowed to loot and grab the state and forest land in Jammu' four districts - Kathua, Samba, Jammu and Udhampur - stand automatically withdrawn.
Fourteen, now the police and law and order will be under the control of the Union Government and all the J&K Government employees have become Central Government employees.
Indeed, people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh attained independence only on August 6. That's the reason all, barring a handful of vested interests and supporters of terrorists and separatists, are feeling jubilant and thanking PM Modi and HM Shah for their bold actions. |
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