By upholding the Modi government’s decision to abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court of India has stamped the “psychological accession” of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country.
What's Next for Jammu and Kashmir?
Speaking to Sputnik India, Sushant Sareen, a senior fellow of the Observer Research Foundation, embraced the SC's verdict, wherein the Article 370 of the Indian Constitution was termed a “temporary provision”, adding that such a decision was doomed to be taken sooner or later.
“Jammu and Kashmir has always been an integral part of India ever since its accession to the country, but it was a physical accession, and the psychological one was yet to happen. Now, with the country’s highest court’s decision, the psychological accession of the region has also been completed, Sareen said.
Indian paramilitary soldiers patrol at the main market in Srinagar, Monday, Dec. 11, 2023.
© AP Photo / Mukhtar Khan
On being asked if the court’s decision was timed, Sareen said, “I don’t think so”.
“There’s no specific timing to the court’s decision. The court had started hearing the matter and the decision was reserved. It was to be announced and they announced it today. I don’t think it was announced keeping something specific in mind,” he explained.
Article 370 had symbolised “a kind of separation” of the region from the rest of the country, Sareen opined, and now, with the government removing it and the court upholding the decision of the government, “India has blown apart the idea of the separate identity of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Sareen also said that hhe security agencies have been doing their work and in the past years, there has been a decline in the terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
Fortifying Unity: BJP on Article 370 Abrogation
The rulling BJP has termed the court’s decision as “historical”, with the party's national spokesperson and former Delhi BJP in-charge of Media, Social Media & IT Cell, Pratyush Kanth, telling Sputnik India that the SC had fortified the essence of unity that "we as Indians cherish."
“Ever since the Article 370 has been abrogated, there has been 45.2 per cent reduction in terrorist activities, 90 per cent reduction in infiltration, 65 per cent reduction in casualties of security personnel, no stone pelting incidents have been reported in five years,” Kanth said, adding that after the judgement the state will witness more peace and prosperity.
Talking about a section of politicians who were not happy with the SC's judgement, the Kanth said that people who are part of dynastic politics will never be happy with it.
“How can a country have two constitution, two flags and two Prime Ministers. The dynast politicians have not risen from grassroots therefore don’t know what Jammu and Kashmir essence is and are in politics because of their lineage. Therefore, they are cut off from the masses,” he opined.
Expressing similar views on the Supreme Court’s judgement, International Working President of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and senior advocate Alok Kumar told Sputnik India that Monday's judgement was a tribute of a grateful nation to the supreme sacrifice of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee.
“Today's judgement underlines that the Letter of Accession signed by Maharaja Hari Singh in 1947-48 was final, valid and irrevocable. Jammu and Kashmir has always been and will always be an integral part of India,” Kumar stated.
He further said that due to some political misunderstanding, the previous political leadership of India had granted a special status to Jammu and Kashmir through Article 370.
“The Parliament of India had watered down this Article. But still there were some questions due to the pendency of this case. They have been cleared after today's verdict. We are confident that the speedy development in Jammu and Kashmir will continue to grow at this pace,” VHP’s International Working President said, adding that now the only unfinished agenda in Jammu and Kashmir is the liberation of PoK from the clutches of Pakistan and we are confident that a strong India and a determined government will be able to free the POK soon.
Reacting to Monday's developments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the court’s decision, and said it was not just a legal judgment, but a "beacon of hope" and a testament to the collective resolve to build a stronger and more united India.