Modi to annul Kashmir’s special status

NEW DELHI: Eyeing to retain power, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made a plethora of poll promises on Monday, including expeditious construction of Ram Temple, scrapping Article 370 of the constitution that gave a special status to Jammu and Kashmir, doubling farmers’ income in the next three years and making India the third-largest economy globally by 2030. This manifesto was considered as last card of Modi to win elections.

BJP vowed to strip decades-old special rights from the people of Indian Held Kashmir (IHK), making an election promise that provoked warnings of a backlash in the region. BJP is widely expected to retain power after a general election that starts on Thursday, though with a much smaller mandate, hit by concerns over a shortage of jobs and weak farm prices.

It pledged to spend Rs100 trillion on infrastructure in the next five years, to help create jobs for the millions entering the workforce each year.

Pollsters say the BJP’s re-election bid got a boost from recent hostilities with arch-rival Pakistan, which followed the Pulwama attack in IHK in which 40 Indian security officers were killed. “Nationalism is our inspiration, economic development of the poor and backward sections our philosophy, and good governance our mantra,” Modi said after releasing the election manifesto at BJP headquarters in New Delhi, as supporters chanted “Modi, Modi”.

The BJP has consistently advocated an end to Kashmir’s special constitutional status, which prevents outsiders from buying property there, arguing that such laws have hindered its integration with the rest of India.

The BJP’s manifesto said that the party in the last five years had made all necessary efforts to ensure peace in IHK through decisive actions and firm policy. “We are committed to overcome all obstacles in the way of development and provide adequate financial resources to all the regions of the state.” The party also reiterated its long-held desire to abolish Kashmir’s autonomous status. Repeal would bring widespread unrest, Kashmiri political leaders warned. “Let them do it and it will pave the way for our azadi,” Farooq Abdullah, President of Kashmir’s National Conference Party, told an election rally, referring to freedom for the region. “They are wrong. We will fight against it.”

Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, the leader of a left party in Kashmir, warned of “disastrous and unimaginable repercussions”.

Voting in the general election begins on Thursday, but with about 900 million eligible voters, will be spread across several weeks, with ballots counted on May 23. – Agencies

News report adds: With the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in India due in three days, Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari on Monday said that he would not appeal in support of any political party.

“The unabated hatred and growing religious mania rampant in the country have trampled over our basic values and traditions. These circumstances have caused grave concern to the civilised society. Kashmir is on fire and there is no clear policy with regard to bringing the Kashmiri people back to the national mainstream. Things have come to the point that instead of following the golden principles of one nation and unity in diversity, the venom of communalism is being spread in every matter,” said Bukhari in a press statement.

According to Indian media, the Imam said, “In these circumstances, the parliamentary elections of 2019 are a trial of the wisdom and farsightedness of the people. In the current situation, it is difficult to ascertain which one deserves to be supported. Therefore, after much deliberation and consultations, I have decided not to appeal in support of any of the political parties,” the statement read. Expressing disappointment with political parties, Bukhari said that political parties always make promises but never deliver on them.

“Muslims should keep in view the fact that almost all political parties have disappointed them. There is a long list of promises, statements and announcements but the level of implementation is disappointing. The tale of injustices to Muslims is very long,” he said in the release.