The Post 370 Era.

The historic Constitutional Order that rendered Article 370 and 35A null and void was passed on 5th of August. For seven decades, this 'special status', formed the socio-political identity of the people of Kashmir. But it was never a 'special status', it was only a temporary act meant to lend time to Kashmiris and India to decide the fate of the region and all its people. In theory, removing these acts will allow complete integration of the territories of Jammu and Kashmir into the Indian Union, something which was long overdue.

However, those out on the streets beating drums and firing crackers may be celebrating too soon because the real challenges begin now. 

NOW, WHAT?

When examined thoroughly in the present context, removing the law and creating two UT's from the region are only symbolic measures and do not assure any peace or development. Also, the people of Jammu and Kashmir who are at the center of this issue were blatantly ignored. The move needs to be quickly followed up with concrete actions and sincere efforts to tackle the problems of unemployment, underdevelopment, lack of medical facilities, and lack of jobs. There is some news of a 1lakh crore investment in the region, but the official announcement of any such plan is yet to be made. The first thing that the government should and can do is provide resources for free lunches for the people in the valley; the hunger caused by abject poverty is what has led to terrorist groups misguiding the youth.

 There is, of course, the problem of alienation of the people in the valley, that cannot be bought or simply be wished away by the Central Government. The only right way to connect with the people is to send envoys from New Delhi that'll go to each and every village in the region and sensitize the people of their guaranteed rights and privileges as citizens of India as well as about any of the government schemes that they can now avail. If Mehbooba Mufti can do the same to inform people for Articles 370 and 35A and then surely we can manage this.

At the same, a substantial proportion of any investment in the region should be spent on education and ensuring that all children in the region go to school. The rehabilitation of Kashmiri pandits should also begin as soon as the blackout is lifted. 

Unless all these steps are taken and trust is earned of the people in the valley, Kashmiris will remain disillusioned by the dream of a golden, independent Kashmir and the region will continue to smolder for the sake of this impossible dream.

The aforementioned points are not impossible, especially since the Constitutional Order received a lot of support from all sections of Indian society which only goes to say that the people of this nation want the region and it's people to be a part of Indian Union.

THE LEGAL SUBTEXT

Now, when most the country was rejoicing and welcoming the move, some dared to question its legality as well as its morality. But shutting them up will not make there opinions irrelevant. The government's actions can be legally challenged by the courts, such an act can be nullified by the President only in concurrence with the State Legislature. This is where the ruling party's planning gets highlighted. The state at the time was under President's Rule, which meant they didn't need to consult no one to change governance in the state, owing to the ruling party's majority in the Parliament. The legal battle also seems imminent as a petition challenging the Constitutional Order 2019 was filed in the Supreme Court on Tuesday. The petition states that the Order is, "Illegal, unconstitutional, void ab initio and ultra vires to the Constitution."

NATIONAL SECURITY 

Although this has been part of the ruling party's manifesto for a very long time, two factors sped up its implementation. First, on the 5th of July, the Research and Analysis Wing's new chief, Samant Goel warned the Prime Minister at a secret meeting at PMO that India had a month to fully integrate Kashmir with itself. After that, the US would engage with Pakistan over making a deal with the Taliban as part of their exit from Afghanistan. The US may later reward Pakistan suitably by resuming military and economic aid. Second, Trump's offer to mediate between India and Pakistan would've eventually lead to a forced deal between the two nations.

Most experts have warned the government, that the threat to internal security is not over and tensions may get heightened. Imran Khan responded with a statement saying that revoking the special status could lead to "Pulwama like incidents". China commented that India should avoid such "unilateral" decisions and decision to make Ladakh a Union Territory was unacceptable to which the External Affair's Ministry responded that it Ladakh was our internal matter and should not be interfered in. 

THE DEATH OF DISSENT

Those who held views of their own were quickly silenced and trolled by thousands who called them, 'pseudo-liberals' or 'libtards' or, the insult that's fast becoming very common, 'anti-national'.  And that was probably my biggest problem with the entire issue. We are becoming a country where citizens are afraid to state their opinions and there is a dearth of voices in dissent. We are a nation that prides itself for having remained and flourished as a democracy under all circumstances. Democracy in India can never be uprooted. However, over the last five years, we've forgotten that very reason for our democracy's sustenance, the existence of organized dissent. Organized dissent has a long-standing history in our country,  it existed when the Constituent Assembly drafted our constitution, it existed when during the One Party System within and outside the Congress Party and it even existed in the Coalition Era. Erosion of this practice will eventually lead to erosion of the Indian Democracy and Freedom Of Speech in the form that most of us have enjoyed so far. So, netizens beware, the very freedom that allows you to troll those with opposing views, can be taken away and the scene is not as pretty when the gun is pointed at you.