BJP general secretary Ram Madhav was instrumental in forging the saffron party’s ill-fated alliance with the People’s Democratic Party in Jammu and Kashmir.
As the volatile situation following abrogation of special status continues to persist in the valley, Madhav talks to THE WEEK about the BJP’s plans for Kashmir. Edited excerpts:
What is the feedback from the valley about the abrogation of Article 370? There is an argument that Kashmiris were not consulted.
There is a thoughtful silence in the valley today. They are not getting provoked, which shows that even in the valley, there are a good number of people who are probably looking at this decision with an open mind.
When this law was actually inserted into the Constitution in 1950, who were consulted? Nobody from Jammu or Ladakh. The project was presented as a fait accompli because Jawaharlal Nehru had given his word to Sheikh Abdullah. Even the Congress working committee was fully opposed to this. We have been saying that we do not approve of the continuance of Article 370. Thorough consultation has happened in Parliament, which is a forum of the people.
Was the massive clampdown in the state the only solution to execute this decision? Politicians have been jailed, communication lines shut.
Certain sections of the valley have been fed on a separatist narrative. So, for that reason, certain preventive measures were taken. Internet blackouts, curfews and the presence of a good number of security forces are nothing new to the valley. Preventative detention is a part of our law and order activity. Every politician has to be prepared for preventative detention. The Congress had put Sheikh Abdullah under detention in the 1950s. It is a legitimate activity to ensure peace and normalcy in the valley. And, once normalcy happens, all these restrictions will go.
There is a narrative that Article 370 was Kashmir’s link to the country, and the abrogation brought an emotional disconnect. What is the healing touch now?
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