Removal Of Article 370 Gave Hope: J And K Youth Activists

At a time when a lot of hue and cry is being raised over the abolition of special status to Jammu and Kashmir, there is a silent narrative in favor of the Centre’s historic decision which remains lost in the din.

Articulating this narrative are some youth, few of whom do not want to come on record for security reasons. But there are others like Mir Junaid who are vocal about it.

“Removal of Articles 370 and 35-A, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, is not beneficial for those who were seeking ‘autonomy’ and ‘self-rule’ in the state,” 27-year-old Junaid told IANS, in a veiled attack on the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which have been advocating the demand for ‘autonomy’ and ‘self-rule’, respectively.

Hailing from Langate in Kashmir’s Kupwara district, Junaid said: “I believe that the removal of Articles 370 and 35-A gave the people of Jammu and Kashmir a kind of liberation from a political dynasty. The weaker sections of the society who are deprived will benefit from the move.”

Asked why some people were displaying anger if the Centre’s decision was positive, Junaid said: “Their shops have been shut and that is why they are showing resentment. Otherwise, Kashmir will be transformed into a world-class socio-economic movement following the removal of Article 370.”