Introduction:

The government recently introduced a resolution to remove provisions of Article 370, which provides special status to Jammu and Kashmir.  In addition, Home Minister also introduced a Bill bifurcating the State of Jammu of Kashmir into Union Territory of Ladakh and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The Presidential Order has extended all provisions of the Constitution to Jammu and Kashmir, including the chapter on Fundamental Rights. Therefore, the discriminatory provisions under Article 35A are now unconstitutional.

Body:

Separatist leadership in J&K:

• All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) is an alliance of 26 political, social and religious organizations formed on March 9, 1993, as a united political front to raise the cause of Kashmiri separatism.
• Separatist politics which surfaced in Kashmir from 1989 has taken different forms and is made up of various strands.
• There is one strand of separatists who want a separate Kashmiri nation, independent of India and Pakistan.
• Then there are groups that want Kashmir to merge with Pakistan.
• Besides these, there is a third strand which wants greater autonomy for the people of the state within the Indian union.
• The separatists are relevant because of a sentiment, which is not voted on in any election. The other reason why they remain relevant is their utility to the state at times of crises.
• When Kashmir was up in arms during the public agitations from 2008-10, New Delhi sent high-level delegations to speak to the separatists in a bid to calm tempers.
• The fact that Pakistan considers the separatists as representatives of the people is also an important reason to think of them as relevant on the ground.

Demerits of separatist leadership:

• The misuse of power by a handful of leaders in the Valley has left the ordinary Kashmiri in misery.
• The NIA has alleged that its probe into terror financing in Jammu and Kashmir has revealed that hardline separatist leaders received funds from abroad and utilised them for personal gains — from amassing properties to paying for foreign education of their kin.
• There are also allegations of Pakistan funding a sect of separatist leaders which amount to arson.
• It is also alleged that “one dead body a day” used to be the strategy of the separatist and terrorist establishment because each casualty would be used to foment more trouble and violence.

Measures needed: There is a need for sustained and coordinated efforts of public outreach involving all the key stakeholders.

State:

• Non-violent and democratic methods to achieve political aspirations.
• The way out of the deadlock is to strengthen democracy.
• Empowerment of Local Governments which involves people at the grassroots level.
• Setting aside of the mutual fears of the people of Jammu and of Kashmir and bringing the people of Ladakh into this ambit as well.
• Socio economic development through various governmental schemes.
• Conducting recruitment rallies to employ the youth, who are in a different state of mind.

Security Forces:

• While the army’s Operation Sadbhavna (a military civic action initiative of 20 years) has helped in extending marginal outreach, the lack of mass engagement has prevented the development of any perception change and the creation of alternative narratives to counter the propaganda from Pakistan and the separatists.
• Direct outreach: conduct of public meetings or “awami sunwais” in the field in areas where the reach of the administration had become marginal. Example: Awami Sunwai’s of the past.
• Maximum opportunity to the common citizens to speak, criticise and complain, so they can realise that there are enough people willing to listen rather than talk down to the common Kashmiri.
• Need to engage the security personnel especially army and CRPF for public outreach and conduct of public meetings and include the politicians and the public officials along with.

Religious heads:

• Involvement of local clergies who has substantial hold on the local populace and seek its cooperation in messaging the youth and others on the uniqueness of the Indian system.
• Exploitation of social media, as much as the countering of online propaganda of radicalisation.

Non-State Actors:

• The other major determinant is J&K is the part of Non-State Actors like Separatists, Neighbouring Pakistan and the state sponsored terrorists.
• They have a considerable hold on the people and their opinions.
• Engaging the non-state actors through interlocutors, Tier-2 diplomacy should help alleviate the fears and misunderstandings that have cropped up.

Media:

• Media described as the fourth pillar of democracy plays a very vital role.
• They are responsible for reporting of the incidents in a true and unvitiated manner. However, the political patronage and ownership by big media houses has made more one sided views.
• With internet on the surge and ease of access of information at tips, they help in shaping the views and opinions of people.
• Media should be ethical and democratic in its approach. It should spread the message of peace and harmony across people.

Conclusion:

The significant move, in theory, opens up potential opportunities for development-led economic growth in the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh. Thus, the move is bound to have a significant impact on the demography, culture, and politics of J&K. Whatever its intent in enabling the full integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India, this decision to alter the State’s status could have unintended and dangerous consequences.