Five years after Article 370 abrogation, Kashmir decks up to celebrate Independence Day with renewed hope

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], August 14 (ANI): Five years since the abrogation of Article 370, the move, which revoked the region’s special status, has brought about transformative changes in Kashmir with the streets of Srinagar adorned with tricolour lighting, reflecting the region’s enthusiasm for India’s 78th Independence Day on August 15.

The streets of Srinagar, once a hub of separatist activity, are now adorned with tricolour lighting, symbolizing the region’s integration with the rest of India. The abrogation of Article 370 has led to improved security, increased tourism, and a sense of unity among the people of Kashmir.

It heralded a “new era of peace, development and prosperity”, “jubilant” Kashmiris are holding the tricolour in their hands eyeing to be a part of the growth story of a “resurgent” India.

After August 5, 2019, schools, colleges and universities remained open during the summer season, unlike a few years ago, when incidents of stone pelting and strikes were reported almost daily.

Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale during his recent visit to Kashmir said “Kashmir is moving ahead in the direction of peace”.

On the security front, there has been a “significant improvement” in the overall situation in the valley.

In July, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, informed the Lok Sabha “80 per cent of deaths of the people have been reduced now as compared to when the Congress was in power. After the abrogation of Article 370, at least 200 terrorists have been killed by the Indian Army.”

According to government statistics, tourism in Kashmir has seen an unprecedented surge, with record numbers of visitors in 2023 and 2024. The region is also emerging as a hub for adventure and golf tourism, with previously unknown locations being opened up to tourists.

As per the Government, a total of 1,08,41,009 tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir between January to June 2024 and 2,11,24,674 in 2023– all-time high so far– followed by the visit of 1,88,64,332 tourists in 2022, 1,13,14,884 in 2021 and 34,70,834 tourists in 2020.

Border tourism has picked up in Jammu and Kashmir and hitherto unknown locations have been opened up for tourism like Gurez, Keran, Teetwal and RS Pura, and the Union Territory is also emerging in adventure and Golf tourism.

The recent Lok Sabha elections saw the highest voter turnout in the last 35 years in this year’s general elections, indicating a growing sense of participation and ownership among the people of Kashmir.

Srinagar, Baramulla (once considered a hotbed of militancy) and Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituencies saw record turnout in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.

According to the Election Commission, the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency recorded 54.3 per cent voter turnout. The voter turnout in the constituency was 14.3 per cent in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

In this year’s elections, the other two parliamentary constituencies in the valley – Srinagar (38.49 per cent), Baramulla (59.1 per cent)- also recorded voter turnouts that are the highest in several decades.

Overall, the voter turnout in the three PCs in the valley is 50.63 per cent (Anantnag Rajouri at 5 pm) in the current General Elections, compared to 19.16 per cent in 2019.

Polling took place in 2338 polling stations across the Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary constituency with live webcasting at the polling stations. A total of 20 candidates including two women contested for the Lok Sabha seat from Anantnag-Rajouri.

The Commission also enabled Kashmiri migrant voters residing at various relief camps in Delhi, Jammu, and Udhampur to have the option of voting in person at designated special polling stations or using postal ballot.

Moreover, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the valley and the hosting of high-profile events like the G20 meeting have further underscored the region’s newfound importance.

Earlier in May in an interview with ANI, PM Modi said, “Article 370 was the agenda of only four-five families, it was neither the agenda of the people of Kashmir nor the agenda of the people of the country. For their benefit, they had built such a wall of 370 and used to say that if 370 was removed, there would be a fire…Today it has become true that after the removal of 370, there is a feeling of more unity. The feeling of belongingness is increasing among the people of Kashmir and hence its direct result is also visible in elections, tourism”.

In August 2019, the Centre revoked Article 370, which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the region into two Union Territories- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

The abrogation of Article 370 is seen as a turning point in the region’s history, marking a shift towards greater integration, development, and peace.