The Special Status of J&K should have not been abrogated all of a sudden as it has led to total chaos and fear among people living across Jammu and Kashmir regions. Barring few, majority of Jammu people say, “BJP abrogated Article 370 for their personal agenda and propaganda, and has nothing to do with the development and prosperity of Jammu & Kashmir”.
Astik Kohli, Student: Article 370 was neither a boon nor a bane rather it was a tool used by the politicians to fight over and ruining the lives of people across J&K and especially Jammuites.
The people of Jammu have always faced discrimination as compared to Kashmir region on the pretext of Article 370. Before the abrogation of Article 370 and even after, all the schemes and resources provided by the Government are availed by Kashmiris. The Special Status of J&K should have not been abrogated all of a sudden as it has led to total chaos and fear among people living across erstwhile State because they are of the view that people living across the country would try to buy their lands and resources by hook or crook.
Furthermore, the people of Jammu have been less connected to India all the times and hence are not much developed in comparison with rest of the country. The natives need to grow at their own pace. Some amendments should be brought to save the identity of people living in different parts of UT having different culture as they speak different languages.
Not surprisingly, even the Government has been playing with the emotions of the youth of Jammu. Before and after abrogation of Article 370, the government had promised thousands of jobs, which have never been provided, and the youth is still waiting.
In fact, Jammu and Kashmir is facing one of the worst ever unemployment crises. When will the government understand that even they have certain responsibilities towards the people of Jammu?
Piyush Khajuria, student of Law School, Jammu University: Even today, the removal of Article 370 is not less than a nightmare for Kashmir based political groups. Today Jammu & Kashmir as a Union Territory is moving towards progress and Centre Government is continuously focusing on basic requirements of the people and every decision is being taken by keeping in mind the sentiments of people from all the sections of society. In last six years, J&K has been provided with new AIIMS, Government Medical Colleges, 73rd & 74th constitutional amendments are being implemented. Moreover, Panchayat and Municipal elections were held after a gap of many years. Centre is trying to make the system transparent so that governance can reach every nook and corner of the erstwhile State.
The Central Government seems to be committed for upliftment of backward people, who were exploited for last about seven decades across J&K. One can say that after the abrogation of Article 370, the hegemony of Kashmiri leaders has been curbed. Various government schemes like Pardhanmantri Gareeb Kalyan Yojna, Jal Shakti mission for clean drinking water, Pardhanmantri Jan Dhan Yojna, PM Mudra Yojna, PM Koushal Vikas Yojna, Atal Mission under which two Metro Projects for J&K UT were sanctioned, Beti Bachao Beti Padao, Ayushman Bharat Yojna, Pardhanmantri Jan Aarogya Yojna etc are also being implemented in J&K.
In addition to it, many projects which are halted for past so many years due to existence of Article 370 are now being initiated without any further hurdle and people would get direct benefits of such projects.
The Jammu & Kashmir seems to be moving towards its much awaited golden era and future generations would likely to reap benefits of it.
Nimrandeep Singh Bhullar, President, Yuva Jatt Manch & General Secretary, Pradesh Youth Congress: BJP abrogated Article 370 for their personal agenda and propaganda and has nothing to do with the development and prosperity of Jammu & Kashmir. BJP has been using this as their political agenda across the different states and Union Territories of the country to overcome their election campaigns besides manipulating the masses with nationalistic mindset. More than a year has passed since the abrogation of Article 370, but there is ‘zero development’, peace and relief witnessed for the people of erstwhile State. The saffron party leadership has mislead the people of Jammu and Kashmir over fake agenda of ‘Sab Ka Sath Sab Ka Vikas’ rather the party has seen only its own ‘Vikas’ on all fronts. They have betrayed all the people belonging to different communities including Kissan, Jawan, daily wagers etc. BJP led government after failing to handle the COVID-19 Pandemic by barring the people of the country from coming out of their homes and kept on holding rallies in numbers across India.
Grabbing thousands of crores on the name of PM CARES funds reflects that the Prime Minister Modi led party only sees for their self and has nothing to do with the development, peace and prosperity in J&K. Even after the abrogation of Article 370 and downgrading the erstwhile State into two Union Territories, the BJP has failed to curb terrorism in Kashmir as per their tall claims and contrary to this the killings and encounters have increased manifolds.
Abrogation of Article 370 was a move played by the BJP to satisfy their growing lust for the power and downgrading and splitting of full-fledged State into two UTs. Have it been for the good of masses, the J&K would have been flourished to skies and developed to horizon even within one year. In short, BJP has lost its moves to manipulate and fool the people of J&K.