The date, 5th August has a very special significance for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. On this date, exactly two years ago, the Parliament of India abrogated Articles 370 and 35(A) of the Indian Constitution thereby making all the provisions of the constitution applicable to the Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. With the historic move of abrogating the temporary provisions of articles 370 and 35(A), the present Indian Government brought the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh into the mainstream and opened new vistas for economic and cultural prosperity for the region.
The political dispensation which ruled the country till now dithered to abolish the provisions of the two articles which kept the people of these regions devoid of not only the benefits of the constitutional rights enshrined in the Indian constitution and but also the various developmental programs initiated by the central government to uplift the economic status of the people. This had a reverse effect on their prosperity and wellbeing.
Abolition of these articles have brought enthusiasm in the hitherto overlooked sections of the society like the Dogras, Valmikis, refugees from western Pakistan, gorkhas, Kashmiri Pandits, etc. They were treated as less deserving and would only find jobs at lower rungs of the systems. They have now been bestowed equal status and shall enjoy the fruits of their labour as per their talents and hard work. The people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh will now enjoy all the constitutional privileges and enjoy true democracy as envisaged by our founding fathers.
The other benefits that have unfolded are the devolution of grants to the grass root institutions and proper use of these grants. Arbitrariness is junked and transparency is the new norm. The use of the Right to Information act shall empower the people to demand the proper utilization of funds and effective deployment of schemes and check corruption. This will definitely lead to urban and rural empowerment. Tourism, education, medical, hospitality shall witness growth to extent that will attract industrialists from across India to invest in these sectors. The landowners willing to part with their land for developmental projects in these sectors will see better unlocking of the fair rates of land. The unleashing of the above sustainable projects will bring financial independence for the people of the regions. New avenues for upliftment will also be available to the people of SC and ST communities as provided in the constitution. Abrogation of these articles helped Kashmiri women to enjoy equal rights as that of men, by bringing in transparency
The abrogation of articles 370 and 35(A) has now unchained various provisions of the constitution and has opened up all opportunities for the two new Union territories . It has led to the perfect amalgamation of various efforts of the central and the local government for realizing the aspirations of the people of these regions. On the completion of one year since the historic move, we are sure that the fruits of righteousness and democracy will unfold and bring unbridled happiness and prosperity to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
