While, in principle, an overwhelming support is forthcoming from the opinion makers over the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A in Jammu and Kashmir, there are genuine apprehensions about transformation taking place at ground zero. The promises made are to be kept. The Centre will have to ‘walk the talk’ by translating commitments into
reality and let the people feel that the constitutional changes were more than necessary for their overall prosperity.
Dr Rahul Sharma, Dentist: The decision to abrogate Article 370 has perhaps generated more emotions than any other event in the country in the recent past. From celebrations to anger, from euphoria to despondency, from pride to humiliation, it has seen a wide spectrum of emotions reflected through millions of conversations on social media. I think what has been promised is not being delivered to us. Only fake promises and false hopes are for us. The situation on ground is still same with no jobs opportunities, no economic policy just nothing except fake promises.
Rameshwar Singh Thakur, Jammu based PG law student at NLU, Patiala: August 5, 2019, this date will be remembered for decades now. In one sudden political strike, executed with surgical precision nearly about 14 months ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah mustered the courage and ensured abrogation of Article 370 and 35A and bifurcation of the erstwhile Jammu & Kashmir state into two Union Territories.
Finally, it is one nation one constitution. This will instill the feeling of unity among all citizens of India.
Abrogation of Article 370 created possibilities of development and huge number of promises were made by the Centre, which were extended to a wide range of issues like social and political equality, education, jobs, reservations and other rights enjoyed by the underprivileged in the rest of the country but these political motivated promises are still searching the path or means to get fulfilled.
Now looking at the changes brought about in the past 14 months, limited promises were fulfilled and major issues are still over shadowed.
COVID-19’s excuse for hammering the developments can be taken but the public believes in actions which are taken with speed of cycle in the era of bullet train.
Though Union Government tried and one can even say that they are still trying to pull out all the stops to ensure that everyone living in two UTs would get a sense of egalitarian principles that are firmly embedded in India’s Constitution but sad to say till date they are failed to achieve these basic goals.
The substantial loss which was expected to come to an end is still in existence that is discriminatory policies pursued by an entrenched elite for seven decades and but till date Jammuties are not assured that finally when everyone here in Jammu will get secured rights and privileges as available to citizens of Kashmir.
No internet or lack of high speed internet in UT has deeply affected the population severely after this abrogation. Till date internet is restricted due to security reasons but cannot deny that in today’s times, the basic need of any business is access to the internet.
Students without internet or with 2G network services are asked to compete with rest of the nation, I wonder how a person walking barefooted can compete the a person riding motorcycle.
Though ‘one nation one flag’ is achieved but the students here deprived of 4G network and given 2G network and let them to feel like a step child which hit them hard and prints the impact on their studies too.
During this COVID hit season where the entire country is staying at home which lead the country’s students be taught online but we the students of Jammu Kashmir are made to attend the online classes on 2G network.
Economy is downgrading and tourism sector are in shambles. Many artisans and weavers are jobless. This will surely lead to huge consequences in the long run.