Kashmiris must be made to feel so included that Article 370 matters less | The Indian Express

Kashmiris must be made to feel so included that Article 370 matters less | The Indian Express

Written by Raja Mujeeb Ul Shafie |Updated: March 12, 2019 9:56:38 am

The writer, a native of Anantnag, J&K, is a member of Swaraj India’s national executive

Kashmiris must be made to feel so included that Article 370 matters less

With draconian laws like AFSPA and the widespread use of pellets, the Indian government is further alienating Kashmiris from India — when the need of the hour is to instil the belief that India belongs to them as well.

Article 370 has not fuelled any separatism in Jammu either, but the people of Jammu have not supported its abrogation as well. (Express Photo by Shuaib Masoodi/Representational Image)

In the aftermath of the Pulwama tragedy, as Kashmiris were facing attacks merely for being Kashmiri, the statement — “our fight is for Kashmir, not against the Kashmiris” — from the prime minister was a welcome step. This statement was followed by the national general secretary of the ruling party, Ram Madhav, writing an opinion piece(IE, February 26) claiming “every Kashmiri is ours”. Except, the PM’s statement was too delayed, and Madhav’s article too diversionary.