The Debatable Kashmir

The topic ‘Kashmir’ has always been a debatable issue not only among the leading politicians but also industry stalwarts, and citizens all across the country. But why is it so? What can be the various reasons behind all of this?

Maybe, it’s widely acclaimed beauty, or maybe it being one of the largest GDP-generating revenue sectors of the country. There can be thousands of reasons; some valid or some invalid.

Jammu & Kashmir

For us to understand these reasons, we need to take a deep dive into the history of Kashmir. However, is it possible to talk about an issue without dodging the two phases of the coin? Is it possible to understand the landscape of Independent India without elaborating on the arrival of the British Empire in the country? Or if I may say so, can we even think of explaining our ancient history, without mentioning the glorious Mughal reign or the mighty Ashokas, or Chauhans? In a similar way, how can we talk about Kashmir without mentioning Jammu? Indeed, Jammu has been an integral yet the most neglectable part of the Union Territory, Jammu and Kashmir.

I take immense pride in hailing from Jammu, a small town, situated in the divine laps of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi. But how many of you have really been bothered to take a keen insight into this small city of temples?

Needless to say, Jammu has always been overshadowed by the mesmerizing beauty of Kashmir. But who has to be blamed for it; local Kashmiris or Dogras, the over-enthusiastic tourists or the greedy politicians? Nonetheless, this topic is never-ending. The deeper we may dive into it, the more complex it will get.

Without deviating from the topic of ‘The Kashmir’, I would love to help you in tracing the history of Jammu and Kashmir. Back in the time when India was rejoicing in its Independence, Hon’ble Shri Maharaja Hari Singh stumped everyone by declaring the demand for a special status given to Jammu and Kashmir. After much deliberations and negotiations, the then Prime Minister of the country, hon’ble Jawaharlal Nehru agreed to grant special status to the then state, Jammu and Kashmir.

The Impartiality

But all of this had to come at a heavy cost. A separate constitution was created for J&K; under article 370, Jammu and Kashmir was declared as a separate yet unbreakable part of India. With passing years, Kashmir enjoyed various kinds of perks, benefits and allowances given to it by the State government. However, Jammu had to bear the brunt of it as all the perks that were given to Kashmir were snatched away from Jammu and it’s native local Dogras. But why was such partial behaviour between these two sisters of the state?

The Dark Reality

But what is probably irksome is that despite getting so many privileges and opportunities, this topic of Kashmir became a bone of content. As years passed by, terrorism has completely taken over and doomed the valley. Every now and then, we can hear of terrorist encounters being carried away in the valley. But all of this comes at the cost of the dead bodies of our martyred soldiers. Apart from this, how can one forget about the infamous Kashmiri Pandit exodus, where they were forced to leave their native homes in their beloved Kashmir?

Above all of this, one can not neglect the fact, that the youngsters are brainwashed to become stone pelters in the valley. At such a tender age, when they should be engrossed in building a future for them, they are asked to join the terrorist training camps. And all of this seems much worse than it actually is!

Hope of a New Dawn

Perhaps, the scrapping of Article 370 has made the situation better in the valley. At least, we can say this for the Central government ruling over there. Yes, you heard it right. The special status that was given to J&K was removed. In the last few years, when I have visited Kashmir, I have found a new serenity and calmness in the place. There have been less incidents of encounters over there. However, the local people of the valley are not very much happy with the decision and they want their special status back. Despite this, there is a section of society belonging to Jammu that has welcomed the decision wholeheartedly.

There are always going to be pros and cons to a decision made. One has to be ready for the consequences associated with it. The only thing that I hope is for a better future for the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir filled with positivity, patriotism and goodness. 

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