By projecting Article 370 as ‘the thing of the past’, the ruling BJP is helping the read-down constitutional provision to live in public memory, in areas where it hardly mattered, writes Syed Shadab Ali Gillani
“For the sake of power, they (Kashmir politicians) had built a wall of 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Due to your blessings, Modi demolished the wall of Article 370. I have also buried the debris of that wall in the ground,” Prime Minister, Narendra Modi thundered in Udhampur, the Lok Sabha constituency that went to polls on April 19, in the first of the seven-phase elections. “I challenge any political party in India, especially Congress, to announce that they will bring back Article 370.”
In his address to a huge rally in a packed stadium, Modi reaffirmed his dedication to winning the hearts and minds of Kashmiris. Concurrently, he denounced opposition parties for what he termed as misleading the nation regarding Article 370. The cornerstone of his government’s decision to revoke Kashmir’s special status lies in its perception of the provision as a hindrance to development and national unity, citing separate laws as barriers to integration and growth.
“Take the case of Article 370; it has been our party’s commitment. When it was my turn, I showed courage. I removed 370. And today, the fate of J&K has changed,” Modi said, insisting Pran Jaye par Vacchan na Jaye. “I believe that politicians should take ownership. They should take responsibility. What I am saying is my responsibility. And I have given the guarantee from that. I also commit and I take ownership.”
This goes with the saying that ‘to forget things, one needs to remember them’. That is what the public memory is all about. Everywhere the BJP leaders go, Article 370 bounces back to debate. This is how the read-down provision of the Constitution of India survives in public memory even though it has been “buried”. Undoing Article 370 is a key achievement listed in the party manifesto along with the construction of Ram Temple as the common civil code has been listed for implementation in Modi’s third tenure as the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Modi’s unwavering commitment to the Hindutva agenda has taken centerstage along the campaign trail, with the BJP proudly insisting it fulfilled the promises, it had made in countless political manifestos. Two items are on top – the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and the reading down of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Almost all star campaigners are using Article 370. The campaign cry is that the BJP must get more than 370 seats in the 543-seat Lok Sabha as it undid the “controversial” Article 370.
The Naya Kashmir Making
At a public rally in Paloura ( Jammu), Home Minister Amit Shah set the tone by emphasising the transformation underway in Naya Kashmir. He asserted that pro-Pakistan slogans were replaced by Bharat Mata Ki Jai.
Launching a harsh attack on regional parties, the National Conference (JKNC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he accused them of perpetuating a cycle of violence and unrest. “Nobody has the guts to raise slogans for Pakistan. Slogans of Bharat Mata K Jai can only be heard,” Shah said. “PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti said that if Article 370 is removed, nobody will be left to give a shoulder to the tricolour. She needs to understand that this tricolour is immortal and will always stay. Article 370 was scrapped, and the tricolour still flies with pride and glory.”
Defending Abrogation
Shah vehemently dismissed allegations that the BJP is prioritising land over the welfare of Kashmiris. Instead, he shifted blame onto rival parties, accusing them of instigating violence and fake encounters. Shah also criticized the Congress for nurturing Article 370 over decades until its abolition in 2019, portraying the move as a long-overdue correction of historical injustices. “I want to clear the misgivings being created among Kashmiri youths that the BJP wants to take the land of Kashmir by force. The BJP is not among those who occupy land by force but believes in winning the hearts of people,” he asserted. “In the name of security, these parties exploited the youth of the Valley.”
“In whose tenure did the highest number of fake encounters take place? Who opened fire on Kashmir’s children? Who put guns in the hands of the Valley kids? It is these three parties,” Shah asserted. “Earlier, there was terrorism, hartals, and stone pelting. Modi Government ended all this and started development.”
“Although the Congress cannot return to power again if it happens by chance, I would warn the Congress to not dare to change Article 370,” Shah told a gathering in Bhopal. “Kashmir is part of India. Your (Congress) politics of appeasement is over now.”
Integrating Kashmir
During an election gathering in Moradabad (UP), Shah rebuked Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for questioning Modi’s discussions on Kashmir outside the state. “Tell me isn’t Kashmir ours? Kharge ji of the Congress asks what do the people of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have to do with Kashmir?” he said. He invoked Kashmir’s integral connection with India and asserted the undoing of Article 370 made it an inseparable part of the nation. “For 70 years, the Congress pampered Article 370 like an illegitimate child in its lap.”
Shah even used Twitter (X) to respond to the Congress leader’s statement. “But it is not merely the fault of the Congress leaders,” he wrote. “It is mostly the Italian culture of the Congress party that is to blame for not understanding the very idea of India. Such statements hurt every patriotic citizen who cares for the unity and integrity of the nation. People will certainly answer Congress.”
“Now, Modi ji has lost his magic,” Mallikarjun Kharge said in an interview. “Wherever he is going, he is not talking about issues that concern the state. In Churu, instead of talking about farmers’ issues, and youth, giving a clarification on the Agniveer scheme and whether it will be abolished, the Prime Minister spoke of ending Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. What does Jammu and Kashmir have to do with Rajasthan?”
Kharge was not the lone Congressman talking about the use of undoing Article 370 by the BJP. P Chidambaram also joined in the debate by pointing fingers at the BJP for the division in Jammu and Kashmir, criticising their manifesto for potentially stoking communal tensions.
“Every time they (BJP) are faced with a concrete set of plans, programmes from the Congress, they will accuse the Congress of being a gang which is trying to break up the country,” the erstwhile Home Minister told a news gatherer. “Who broke up Jammu and Kashmir? It is the BJP that broke Jammu and Kashmir into three parts and they were on the verge of losing the case in the Supreme Court when they instructed their lawyer to tell the Supreme Court please don’t pronounce a decision, we will hold elections. It is the BJP’s manifesto, especially on the common civil code that will create divisions between one community and another community and these divisions will eventually lead to hate speeches, resentment, anger and conflict.”
The Supreme Court upheld the revocation of Kashmir’s special status in December 2023 but mandated local elections to be conducted by September 2024.
Almost every star campaigner who visited Jammu and Kashmir, even before the election process began, ensured they talked in detail about the “historic achievement” of undoing Article 370. These include two trips of the Prime Minister, one each to Jammu and Srinagar, and, later, the visit of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adiyanath.
In Jammu Kashmir
In Jammu and Kashmir which witnessed a huge fragmentation in the last few years in the political class, most of the new parties are barely talking about Article 370. They focus on statehood, assembly elections, land ownership and jobs in the government. However, two major political parties – the JKNC and JKPDP, are very vocal on Article 370.
“This time, I am not seeking votes for a road, a pavement or a bridge. This time, I am seeking your votes to take your voice to the Parliament. I am seeking votes for our identity, for our land and our jobs,” Mehbooba Mufti told a gathering while on a roadshow last week. “They (referring to the BJP at the Centre) want to assault our identity; their eyes are on our land and jobs. We will not let them control these things. But for that, you have to raise your voice. They want us to surrender, and accept defeat. They have pushed us into the river; our job is to stay afloat.”
Omar Abdullah is telling people to decide on the Government of India’s decision-making on August 5, 2019. “If you think, the August 5, 2019 decision was right, then, please do not vote for JK National Conference. “IF you think that this decision-making has not made our lives better, then please cast your vote for us so that a strong message goes to the centre.”
Insisting that the people in Jammu and Kashmir had an emotional connection with Article 370, Omar said that the sections of people, like in Leh, who celebrated the abrogation are now seeking its restoration. “If somebody has used Article 370, it is the BJP. It’s been a political football for the BJP. And they have been using this football time and again,” Omar said. “Otherwise, why would the Prime Minister sell tickets (promote) of a movie? The PM comes to Jammu and praises Bollywood films made on Article 370. If this isn’t a political use of Article 370 what is?” In most of his speeches, Omar has been insisting that they will keep “article 370 relevant”.
Modi had told a rally that the film Article 370 would be useful for people to get the correct information. “I have heard that perhaps a film on Article 370 is going to be released this week. I think your Jai Jai Kaar (cheers) are going to be heard all over the country.”
Produced by the same group of artists and professionals who delivered the high-octane small-budget film, Uri: The Surgical Strike in 2019 on the eve of the last Lok Sabha polls, the group has come with Article 370 this time. The film promoted by politics last time is now seeing a similar promotion. The Uri film was produced at an investment of Rs 25 crore and it ended up making Rs 342 crore. Now it remains to be seen how much money the Article 370 film will make and if the BJP will cross the 370-seat mark. It currently has 296 seats.
