Modi Visits Kashmir’s Main City For The First Time Since Revoking Region’s Semi-Autonomy

NEW DELHI — On Thursday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his first official visit to Kashmir’s major city since New Delhi removed the disputed region’s semi-autonomy and gained direct control of it in 2019.

Addressing a crowd at a soccer stadium in Srinagar, Modi unveiled development projects and accused previous governments of misleading people about the region’s now-defunct special status.

“The success story of Jammu and Kashmir will be the center of attraction for the world,” he told the audience, noting that the region has thrived since the 2019 shift. “I’ve always claimed that the reason I work so hard is to earn your hearts. I shall continue to concentrate on earning your hearts.”

Modi Visits Kashmir’s Main City For The First Time Since Revoking Region’s Semi-Autonomy

Modi and his party have accused Kashmir’s pro-India parties of corruption, deceiving Kashmiris, and encouraging separatists in the region. Kashmiri politicians, who claim their special status is a constitutional guarantee, have labelled Modi divisive and anti-minority.

Thousands of armed paramilitary forces and police in flak jackets maintained increased vigilance across the Kashmir Valley, the epicentre of the ongoing revolt against Indian control in the majority-Muslim territory, where many locals passionately support independence or a union with Pakistan. Modi’s two earlier travels to Kashmir after its status was altered were to Jammu, a Hindu-dominated city.

Modi made no mention of holding elections in the region or restoring Kashmir’s statehood, which are both desired by pro-India political groups. The previous regional assembly election was held in 2014, although the government elected that year was dismissed in 2018.

In 2019, Modi’s Hindu-nationalist government withdrew the region’s semi-autonomous status, abolished its constitution, divided it into two federal regions (Ladakh and Jammu-Kashmir), and repealed inherited land and job protections. Unelected politicians and bureaucrats currently govern the Muslim-majority territory.

Modi Visits Kashmir’s Main City For The First Time Since Revoking Region’s Semi-Autonomy

Amit Shah, India’s powerful home minister, has consistently stated that the area will achieve statehood following elections.

In December, India’s Supreme Court affirmed the 2019 ruling and directed the government to hold elections by September.

The region has been on edge since 2019 when authorities implemented a host of new legislation that many locals worry will change Kashmir’s demographics. The move was widely hailed in India, as supporters applauded the Modi government for delivering a long-standing Hindu nationalist commitment.

In its efforts to construct what it calls a “new Kashmir,” India has shown no tolerance for criticism, curtailing civil freedoms and intimidating the media.

Before Modi visited Srinagar, government personnel installed razor wire and set up checkpoints on the roads leading to the venue. They randomly frisked citizens and inspected vehicles as naval commandos on motorboats patrolled the Jhelum River, which runs through the city.

Authorities required thousands of government personnel, including teachers, to attend the meeting, and most schools in the city were shuttered for the day.

Modi Visits Kashmir’s Main City For The First Time Since Revoking Region’s Semi-Autonomy

Thursday’s event is part of Modi’s campaign ahead of the national elections in April and May.

Such security measures have been prevalent in Kashmir since 1989 when insurgents began opposing Indian rule.

Kashmir is partitioned between India and Pakistan, claiming the entire Himalayan area. India claims that the Kashmir insurgency is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Pakistan denies the claim, and most Kashmiris see it as a legitimate freedom movement. The battle has killed tens of thousands of civilians, rebels, and government soldiers.

SOURCE – (AP)