What next?
Having had abrogation of article 370 and 35 (A) in case of J&K executed, it is natural to ask two pertinent questions, namely:
Firstly, how would the Government take the administrative ecosystem in effecting the announcement? In other words, would a constitutional amendment to the Indian constitution be needed to effect this announcement, and
Secondly, would the bifurcation of J&K and its status as a union territory be continued as such or at some later stage, Union Territories status be elevated to the level of a full-fledged state?
Whatever be the way to move forward on effecting the new announcements made today into creation of administrative setups in J&K and Ladakh, two things that will stand out predominantly when history of India is written in future- one the political decision of our prime minister to mainstream the J&K into national flow and courage of conviction of our home minister- Amit Shah, in making this day as firmly etched up to our eternal memories.
Return of peace in valley?
With new writ written on the J&K status vide abrogation of article 370 and 35 (A), it is being widely believed that peace, stability, and tranquility would return to the J&K and it's national mainstreaming will effectively be concluded.
India now stands as a truly integrated entity much to the comfort of many in the valley more particularly to the youth who certainly will stand better and more exposed to educational and job opportunities.
There is also bound to be more investments brought into the valley with an investment summit already planned for the month of September in the valley.
There is also bound to be more investments brought into the Kashmir valley with an investment summit already planned for the month of September in the UT of Jammu & Kashmir.
Modi led government, in a clear indication of its political will, exclusion, and complexities related to special powers and status attached to the J&K for many past decades post-independence, puts an end to all outstanding issues internally, moving a step closer towards full mainstreaming of the J&K in national flow.
This development would have a far-reaching bearing on the national economy, polity, and its social cohesion while promoting a sense of belonging and strengthening our national fabric for a more fast-tracked economic development of our nation.
(Author currently is Managing Director of SOENT, an European policy consulting group besides having founded the first non - Anglo-Saxon think tank in Germany as its CEO. He also sits on a number of boards of the UN, corporate houses, think tanks, media and not-for-profit organisations both in India and internationally. He has 12 books to his credit. He is also a British Chevening Scholar at the London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom.)
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