Modi Sarkar, Hindutva Regime and Kashmir Issue: Sacrifice or Politics?

Has Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘sacrificed Kashmir’ by promoting his Hindutva politics?

According to reports, Indian PM Modi abrogated Article 370 on the 5th of August, 2019 which allowed him the opportunity to exercise further control over the Muslim majority state of Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IOK) by pushing them towards a semi-autonomous status.

A year after the revocation of Article 370, Modi and the RSS Chief, Mohan Bhagwat, performed the groundbreaking ceremony at Ayodhya to convert the historical Babri mosque into a Hindu temple, as a form of celebration.

Kashmir, a UN recognized dispute is not a constitutional matter for India: Altaf Wani

Meanwhile, the unconstitutional repeal has led to India losing face in the global community and failing to maintain its reputation as a secular democracy. According to an article published in Gulf News, peace and stability in the valley of Kashmir is of no use to Modi although violence can greatly benefit the Indian PM. The article continues to discuss that the construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya is a political move by Modi and serves as a major project under his Hindutva regime.

It is to be noted that since the abrogation, Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) has been under lockdown as many political leaders and activists have been placed either in jail or under house arrest. According to reports, Indian forces are using any means possible to suppress the Kashmiri Muslims.

Kashmir Issue in the UN: A Detailed Report

Moreover, Indian atrocities continue in the form of controlling the judicial system, the media, phone and internet services, respectively. Although Modi Sarkar had promised economic development in the region but the continued oppression has instead further devastated the economy.

Political moves on the part of the Indian administration is the cause for growing resentment in the Kashmiri community who feel that their land and resources are being manipulated, especially keeping in mind the Israeli strategy with Palestine. According to reports, the Indian government headed by Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is not even “attempting to create a facade of administering Kashmir”. It is argued that the Indian capital, Delhi is in fact controlling the Kashmir valley.

However, the recent clash between India and China has led to further conflict pertaining to Kashmir. According to the article published in Gulf News, the alliance between China and Pakistan, specifically with regards to Kashmir, have paved way for a shift of power away from the Indian state. In lieu of this, experts believe that Pakistan has presented a new political map due to this switch of power.

Kashmir, ‘A Living Hell’ of Anger and Fear: The New York Times

It is to be noted that the revocation of Article 370 and the ongoing continuous suppression of the Kashmiri Muslims has brought forth criticism from the global community, meanwhile, the international media and human rights groups continue to expose the suffering of the Kashmiri people at the hands of Modi Sarkar and Indian armed forces.

Furthermore, reports have confirmed that Modi government’s attempts to organize diplomatic visits to the disputed region has not helped their cause. It is thereby, pertinent to note that the abrogation has in fact proven to be counterproductive to Indian interests.

It is to be noted that to say that Modi Sarkar will continue to create strife in the land is not wrong as experts argue that regional peace is of no political, social or economic benefit to the Indian government.