During the launch of his memoir *Five Decades of Politics*, former Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde reflected on the challenges he faced while overseeing the Kashmir Valley during the UPA government. He candidly admitted feeling scared about venturing out in the region, despite projecting a sense of confidence and control. Shinde recounted that although he received advice from educationist Vijay Dhar to visit prominent areas like Lal Chowk and Dal Lake in Srinagar to show leadership, he could not help but feel afraid while doing so. His confession was meant to evoke humor, but it also underscored the underlying security concerns during his tenure from 2012 to 2014. Shinde's remarks have now sparked political commentary, particularly from the BJP, which seized the opportunity to draw a sharp contrast between the Congress era and the situation in Kashmir today.
The BJP, using Shinde's admission as a springboard, emphasized the changes brought to Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav remarked that Shinde's fear of moving around freely in the Valley during his tenure reflects the security situation under Congress rule. In contrast, he argued, Kashmir has become a peaceful and thriving region under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Yadav highlighted the influx of tourism in the region, noting that 2-3 crore tourists now visit Jammu and Kashmir annually, a stark contrast to the times when even senior government officials hesitated to roam freely in the area. Yadav attributed this transformation to the government's decision to revoke Article 370, which he claimed has strengthened democracy, diminished the influence of corrupt political dynasties, and significantly improved the lives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also chimed in, noting how today's situation allows leaders like Rahul Gandhi to traverse the region comfortably. He referenced Gandhi's recent *Bharat Jodo Yatra* and his recreational snow fights in Kashmir, portraying these activities as symbols of a more secure and peaceful Valley. Poonawalla criticized the Congress and National Conference, accusing them of wanting to return the region to its troubled past. He contrasted their opposition to the abrogation of Article 370 with the current government’s approach, arguing that the opposition parties' stance would once again expose Jammu and Kashmir to instability and militancy.
The abrogation of Article 370 by the Modi government in August 2019 remains one of the most significant and contentious political decisions in India's recent history. Article 370, which had been part of the Indian Constitution since 1950, granted special autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir. This allowed the region to maintain its own constitution and extensive control over internal matters, including laws on residency and property ownership. The BJP, however, argued that Article 370 had become a tool for separatism and had hindered the region's development by isolating it from the rest of India.
On August 5, 2019, the Indian government revoked Article 370, effectively dissolving the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. The state was reorganized into two Union Territories: Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. The decision was met with both praise and protests. Supporters, particularly the BJP and its allies, saw the move as a bold step toward fully integrating Jammu and Kashmir into India's democratic fabric. They argued that the region would now benefit from national-level development programs and economic investments. Critics, however, saw the revocation as an erosion of Jammu and Kashmir's autonomy and a betrayal of the promises made when the state initially joined the Indian Union.
Since the revocation, the Modi government has repeatedly cited improvements in security and development as key successes of its policy. Tourism has increased, infrastructure projects have been expedited, and the government has claimed a significant reduction in militancy-related incidents. However, opposition parties like the Congress and National Conference have vowed to reverse the decision, arguing that it has alienated the people of Jammu and Kashmir and undermined the region’s unique identity. They have consistently voiced concerns that the centralization of power in the region could exacerbate tensions rather than resolve them.
As the political debate over Article 370 continues, the BJP remains firm in its belief that the decision was not only necessary but transformative for the future of Jammu and Kashmir. They point to the region’s improved security situation and economic opportunities as evidence of the policy’s success, while opposition leaders maintain that the long-term consequences of the decision could be damaging to the fabric of Indian democracy.
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