Dear editor
It is said “better to be late than to become late”. But for Article 370, 35 and 35A, better it became late though it is late. Four years have completed after the demise of Article 370, 35 and 35A. It marks the total integration of that part of Jammu and Kashmir with India which is under Indian administration. Kashmir is the dividing line of relationship between India and Pakistan. Special status to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and denial of right to purchase property by the citizens of other parts of India in Jammu and Kashmir under Article 35 and 35A had almost alienated Jammu and Kashmir from India. Before repealing the Article 370 the Modi government treaded cautious path and made adequate arrangements by stationing security forces to ward off threats of possible protests from the people opposed to abolition of the contentious Article. People were clueless when security forces were stationed and patrolling as preemptive measure to prevent the possible disturbance. Article 370, Ram Mandir and Uniform Civil Code (UCC) are the core issues in the Indian political landscape. The unfinished agenda of NDA is the UCC. Deft handling of the situation post Article 370 abolition and legal reourse taken to the resolution of Ram Mandir dispute have earned people’s admiration. The abolition of Article 370 has left the trail of bitterness among J & K leaders like Mehbooba Mufti and Farooq Abdullah. Apprehending trouble, appropriate measures were taken to suspend the Amarnath Yatra from the Jammu base camp on Saturday. Surprisingly, Shiv Sena (UBT) which does not have its base in Jammu and Kashmir, has staged a protest aginst the centre accusing it of betraying trust of the people of Jammu, who had celebrated revocation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. Article 35 and 35A were impediments for the acquisition of property in Jammu and Kashmir whereas people from Jammu and Kashmir had the liberty to purchase property in other parts of India. This discrimination and gross injustice have been removed by rescinding Article 35 and 35A. There is demand for statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The centre is not averse to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Lok Sabha election is round the corner. If statehood is the aspiration of the people, the centre should accord it. After abolition of Article 370, there is perceptible downslide in the terrorist activities. Abolition of Articles 370, 35 and 35A is an important milestone on the records of the Modi government.
K.V. Seetharamaiah.
