Dismayed and disillusioned over the decades’ discrimination, deprivation and total neglect, the people of Jammu see little difference after the abrogation of Article 370. Except for jobs and lands going to non-state subjects as well, they see no material change taking place in respect of empowering people of the region and freeing them from the shackles of hegemony of a particular region.
Karndeep Singh, Social Activist: Modi Government abrogated Article 370 on 5th August, 2019 terming it as the correction of historic blunder.
Eyeing to their nationalist agenda, the removal of Article 370 had been long pending election promise of BJP. But the sudden removal of this Article without the consent of stakeholders from the erstwhile State, the BJP Government has left many shocked and surprised.
Even people from within the Union Territory are divided in their opinions. A major section of Jammu, representing Dogra community is now feeling cheated with the major promises on removal of Article 370 like reservation of jobs and lands are not fully kept.
Many Dogra leaders also argue that with more and more influx of people from rest of the country, the decision would dilute the UT’s culture and identity in long run.
The Central Government should take into consideration the views of locals and look for any possible amendments or reversal of the decision.
BJP has been saying that only those who are against India are opposing this decision is grossly implicating loyalty and integrity of people from Jammu. This is not proper for the democratically elected government to implement such decision without getting it through public debate.
Ashwani Sharma, General Secretary IkkJutt Jammu: August 5, 2019 was an epoch making day in the history of independent India as a monumental decision to abrogate Articles 370 and 35A from the glorious pages of the constitution was taken by the Govt. A lot of water has flown under the bridge since then. As this may be a proverbial Ganges but even today many separatists’ Nallahs pollute the polity of Jammu and Kashmir. No doubt abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A is history and many Central Laws which were hitherto non applicable in J&K are applicable now. But the basic organic structure of political discourse and bureaucratic mindset still favours Kashmiri hegemony over Jammu and thus separatist in nature. Any root cause analysis for permanent solution of problem in Kashmir shall always conclude with transfer of political power centre from Kashmir to Jammu on short-term basis and separate statehood for Jammu in the long run. Sooner the Union Government realises this and take corrective measures the better they will reap the fruits of great decision of abrogation of Article 370 and 35A.
Surinder Rana, Social Activist, Paddar: Abrogation of Article 370 has both positive and negative impacts.
Talking about the positive impact, we are now free from dynastic rule of Abdullahs and Muftis and the people of the erstwhile State now have access to all the provisions and laws implemented by the Central Government, which were not applicable in Jammu & Kashmir before the abrogation this constitutional provision.
And the negative impact is that now the people of the Union Territory have to compete with the rest of the country to get the government jobs, as previously they were reserved only for the state subjects.
The demographic change is another factor which is going to be a big issue in Jammu & Kashmir.
