news details |
|
|
| Bold Admission | | | Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid, who used to call Article 370 a bond between New Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir, has acknowledged that its abrogation in 2019 ended separatism in the Valley.
Addressing Indonesian think tanks and academics, Khursheed said that abrogation of Article 370 ushered a period of “prosperity” for the region.
He highlighted the transformative impact of the decision to revoke the constitutional provision that had granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
The senior Congress leader dwelled upon the fact that Kashmir had a major problem for a long time that it was separate from the rest of the country, but the revocation of Article 370 ended separatism in the Valley.
While critics had predicted unrest and greater alienation, the past six years have proven otherwise. Violence has declined, shops of separatists have been shut, and democratic processes—once held hostage to regional polarisation—have begun to find stronger roots.
Khurshid’s statement is important because it comes from a leader of the Congress Party, which has historically been ambivalent about its position on Kashmir’s integration. By acknowledging the positive transformations after the abrogation, he has lent credence to the decision taken by the government led by PM Modi in 2019.
He has endorsed the vision of J&K that is fully integrated, peaceful, and forward-looking.
It is particularly revealing that Khurshid spoke of the “period of prosperity” that followed the revocation. Indeed, investments have begun flowing into the region, tourism has witnessed a remarkable upswing, and infrastructure development—from road connectivity to internet access—has accelerated.
The once-prevailing narrative of victimhood and exceptionalism is being replaced by one of opportunity and inclusion.
The Article 370, instead of fostering harmony, created a psychological chasm. Its removal has paved the way for a renewed sense of nationhood among the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially the youth who now see themselves as stakeholders in the country’s growth story rather than its outliers.
This acknowledgment should serve as a moment of introspection for all political parties. While dissent is democratic and necessary, aligning with the aspirations of the people and the larger national interest is paramount.
Khurshid’s candid admission opens the door for a more constructive and bipartisan approach to the future of Jammu and Kashmir—one where peace, development, and unity are the guiding principles. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
