Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist September 2019 | Page 47

FOCUS
Combating
Information
Warfare of
Adversaries Post
Abrogation of
Article 370
BY Maj Gen S B Asthana*
A
rticle 370 in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), became
history after 06 August 2019, when the bill was
passed by more than two-third majorities in both
houses of parliament, through the laid down democratic
process in consultation with Sadr-e Riyasat vested in
Governor of the erstwhile state. The bill reorganizes the
erstwhile state of J&K into two separate Union Territories
(UTs), J&K being one (to get statehood when there is peace)
and Ladakh being another UT. The sight of only Tricolour
furling on Secretariat building in Srinagar symbolises
complete integration as ‘One Nation, One Constitution and
One Flag’, which represents the national will and resolve.
With no change International border/LAC/LoC/AGPL, this
administrative reorganisation is an internal matter of India,
which was essential for inclusive growth of the erstwhile state.
This reform was long overdue, as it was seen that Article 370
and 35a was hurting India and common people of J&K since
inclusion. These provisions were being misused by few local
politicians, separatists, elite businessmen, terrorists and their
supporters, at the cost of brewing inequality, depriving legal
benefits, voting rights, welfare-related rights to common
people of Kashmir including safai karmacharis, and daughters
marrying outside and their children. It helped the agenda of
Pakistan and terrorists, allowed forcibly pushing out some
natives like Kashmiri Pundits with blatant abuse of power
and left India helpless in mitigating their grievances. No
investments were possible to create jobs hence terror industry
bloomed. Needless to say that the people enjoying such abuse
of power will continue to cry foul, along with some more
trying to gain political mileage out of it, but the fact is that
this decision was backed by thumping mandate of the country
through laid down the democratic process.
What are Indian Adversaries Trying?
Pakistan’s frustration is that declaration of J&K as UT
will expose its terrorists fuelling proxy war in Kashmir, out of
the umbrella of local political patronage. The separatists will
be exposed to central security forces and laws, and its terror
industry/infrastructure built in Kashmir over decades will
start crumbling. Pakistan Army, ISI and political class have
enjoyed power domestically, on their narrative of efforts of
Kashmir’s liberation so far; hence Indian action has disturbed
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 7 • Issue 9 • September 2019, Noida • 47