Territorial conflicts over Kashmir have been an apple of discord between India and Pakistan since the partition of the subcontinent, with both states claiming the entirety of the former princely state. The Kashmir dispute arose in full swing at the international level when on August 5, 2019 India removed the state’s special status by abrogating Articles 370 and 35A of the Indian constitution, and divided the region into two territories: Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir. Since then, India has continuously tried to alter the demography of the region by settling Hindu migrants in IIOJK and delivering around 3.4 million domiciles to non-Kashmiris, particularly Hindus, to dilute its Muslim majority status.
India claims that removing the special status has brought about development, peace, jobs and investments in IIOJK. But the ground reality is rather different. The situation continues to cause frustration, chaos and disorder in IIOJK. All sectors of the economy have witnessed a steep decline. The claims made by the Indian government regarding real estate investment in IIOJK can be gauged from the fact that real estate is suffering across India. Financial specialists are now enquiring from Indian officials as to what percentage of youths in IIOJK that have gotten jobs following their takeover. Human development indicators pre- and post-takeover have also clearly busted the development myths created by the Indian government.
Gupkar Alliance in its joint declaration has rejected the Indian government’s assertions by stating that much of “the propaganda blitz, engaged in by even the Prime Minister and Home Minister” of India can be laid to rest by examining the valley’s pre- and post-2019 record on growth and human development. Due to communication blockades, curfews and threats from occupational forces, the economy of IIOJK lost 178.78 billion Indian rupees and more than 90,000 jobs in the sectors of handicraft, tourism and IT in just the first five months following the Indian takeover. The horticulture sector is in severe distress and students are suffering because of the ongoing internet blockade.
It is for the first time in 75 years that rural parts of IIOJK face such a great degree of economic slowdown. Hundreds of farmers have been forced to either sell their produce at throwaway prices or watch it rot. The Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries has repeatedly said no major economic activity has taken place in Jammu & Kashmir since the Indian takeover. As per the ORF Foreign Policy Survey, 40% of the businesses depend on pilgrims and tourists but due to the deteriorating law and order situation and continued restrictions, people are reluctant to visit IIOJK. General Secretary of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries Farooq Amin said, “If Kashmir’s economy was on the ventilator before, it is now dead.” The Indian narrative of economic progress has fallen flat on its face. Instead of opening up the valley to industries, the oppressive Indian government has made it unlivable. The BJP government claims that “leading entrepreneurs have expressed their interest in investing in Jammu and Kashmir.” But in today’s world, economic growth cannot occur in a closed environment. Drenched in financial despair, hope has crumbled in IIOJK.
There is a stark difference between the situation in IIOJK and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK), which also draws a clear distinction between freedom and subjugation. The people of AJK have all the basic rights and civil liberties. The army does not patrol the streets and the citizens are not arrested, detained or abducted against their will. Moreover, the AJK government has provided IIOJK refugees with residential facilities, food, education and healthcare in collaboration with the Pakistan government. It is hoped CPEC too will bring immense benefits to the people of AJK. The world community must pay attention to the happenings in IIOJK. If the atrocities against the people are not halted, peace and security in South Asia will remain a distant dream.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 28th, 2022.
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