New Delhi: As the ruling BJP and its cadres in Jammu Kashmir celebrate the fourth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 which stripped the region from its autonomy and broke the former state into two UTs, Congress Working Committee member Tariq Hameed Karra believes that doing away with the special status had left the people of J&K alienated.
In a special conversation with ETV Bharat's Saurabh Sharma, Karra said that since Aug. 5, 2019, when Article 370 was abrogated, Kashmiris have become “hopeless, have been silenced are feel alienated". Here are the excerpts from the interview.
ETV Bharat (ETB):How do you see the transformation from August 2019 to now?
Tariq Karra (TK): Yes, the transformation has happened. People used to think earlier that they've been given constitutional guarantees which empowered them but after the abrogation of Article 370, the atmosphere in the region has changed drastically. People are unhappy, they've been forcefully silenced and alienated. Changes have happened in the four years but they have happened in a bad sense. People now feel demoralised and humiliated.
ETB: Government claims that Jammu Kashmir has witnessed tremendous growth after the abrogation and that the region is counted amongst the top ranks in development indicators. Do you agree with it?
TK: Anybody who knows Kashmir knows that this is not the first time that the region has witnessed any growth or development. Development is an ongoing process and to claim that they (BJP) are to be credited for the abrogation post-2019 is a lie. Earlier also, development was there but the question here is - How do you deal with your citizens with regard to the social-economic and political sphere? Is there may freedom there? Since August 2019, there is complete isolation. The government doesn't have anything to say in political or socio-economic matters. So they come up with such tactics. To hide their failure, the government every day comes up with such pomp and show.
ETB: According to you, what is/was the most turbulent phase of Jammu Kashmir's history after 1947?
TK: We are seeing this here for the last three decades. To claim that everything is normal is a complete lie. This is just a cosmetic projection.
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ETB: It is being claimed that post abrogation, the minds of the Kashmiri youth have been transformed. Do you agree with it?
TK: Yes, there has been a transformation. Today, Kashmiri youth have been silenced, traumatized. They know that if they speak, they'll be charged with UAPA or would be detained. There is complete silence on the streets. Journalists, traders, everybody feels the pressure of NIA, ED, IT. This is not a positive development. A question should be asked to BJP how Article 370 was a threat to national integration and national security while Article 371 was not a threat which guarantees the same rights similar to that of Article 370 to 11 States in the Country.
ETB: And separatism? Has it ended?
TK: With regards to separatism, we neither support this nor adhere to their ideology. But to curb democratic rights in a democracy is not good. It is bringing in more negativity. Separatism is a separate subject and alienation is something else. In today's context, alienation has increased.
ETB: What are your expectations from the SC?
TK: We are hopeful. Although it has been quite late nevertheless, the SC has started to hear the petitions challenging the abrogation. It's a great sign and we all hope that justice would be done. A question arises and it may come up in the Supreme Court as well that is there any clause or provision in the Constitution which allows the disintegration and downgradation of a State into a UT, though there is a Constitutional provision for the upgradation of a UT to a State. This shall have to be explained by the Government in Supreme Court.
Though we have full faith in the Supreme Court of India that Justice will be delivered to us, yesterday's decision of the Supreme Court wherein it has stayed the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from Parliament has many fold strengthened our faith and trust in the Apex Court.
ETB: After the Bharat Jodo Yatra, a lot has been said about Rahul Gandhi. Do the people of JK look up to him with positive hope?
TK: I don't know what you have in your mind when you talk about Rahul Gandhi's image, but yes, BJP spent thousands of crores to tarnish his image and a single yatra, washed off all this. When he visited Jammu Kashmir, everybody welcomed him. People expect from him and he relates himself with the people and the soil of Kashmir. Rahul Gandhi is Rahul Gandhi and what he was yesterday and is today and everybody accepts him not just at the national level but at the international level. Today, he is the tallest leader who has a futuristic vision.
