A commitment to good governance

THE Supreme Court of India has delivered a historic judgment on the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35(A). The court has upheld the sovereignty and integrity of India. It rightly observed that the decision taken on August 5, 2019 was done with the purpose of enhancing constitutional integration, not disintegration. The court has also recognised that Article 370 was not permanent in nature.

Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh's breathtaking landscapes have captivated the hearts of poets, artists and adventurers for generations. But for the last seven decades, these places witnessed the worst form of violence and instability, something the wonderful people never deserved.

I have had the opportunity of being connected with the J&K andolan from a very early part of my life. I belong to an ideological framework where it was not merely a political issue, but was about addressing the aspirations of society. Syama Prasad Mookerjee held an important portfolio in the Nehru cabinet and could have remained in government for a long time. Yet, he quit over the Kashmir issue even if it meant paying with his life. His efforts led to crores of Indians becoming emotionally attached with the Kashmir issue. Years later, Atal ji gave the powerful message of "insaniyat, jamhooriyat and kashmiriyat" in Srinagar, which has also been a source of inspiration.

It was always my firm belief that what had happened in J&K was a great betrayal to our nation and to the people living there. It was also my strong desire to do whatever I can to remove this blot, this injustice done to the people.

In very basic words-Articles 370 and 35(A) were like major obstacles. It seemed like an unbreakable wall and the sufferers were the poor and downtrodden. As a karyakarta who has seen the issue closely over the last several decades, I had a nuanced understanding of its specifics and complexities.