100 Days Of Reckless And Dangerous Governance

The government has pushed its ideological agenda even at the cost of constitutional values and welfare.
The Modi government has embarked on a publicity blitz to mark the first 100 days of its second term. Since even accomplished purveyors of propaganda may leave out some achievements, I write to set the record straight.

The most prominent achievement of Modi 2.0 has been its emphasis on pushing through its ideological agenda, even at the cost of constitutional values and people’s welfare. On Jammu and Kashmir, home minister Amit Shah fulfilled the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) long-standing goal of eliminating Article 370, which provided the state constitutionally guaranteed special status. Whereas Kashmiris historically demanded more autonomy, the state has been downgraded to Union Territory status, and key powers transferred to New Delhi. The Modi government demonstrated how cunning it can be at using legal stratagems to circumvent constitutional provisions and democratic norms.

The impacts are yet to unfold. For now, “normalcy” involves draconian restrictions on civilians and communications. What price our own citizens will pay in the future is a troubling question. Now that the government has confined pro-India politicians and undermined their credibility, it is anybody’s guess as to who will take the political process forward if and when elections are called. How can we achieve full integration of Kashmir into India by alienating its people? The government seems to neither care nor have credible answers.