Rahul wants statehood restored to J&K, maintains silence on Article 370

By Arun Joshi Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday took aim at the Narendra Modi government for mounting an attack on Jammu and Kashmir  and declared that his party wanted statehood to be restored to J&K  but strategically left the issue of the Article 370 unspoken, perhaps aware that anti- special status was unacceptable to the rest of the Indian nation Rahul who became the first national leader to visit Kashmir since August 5, 2019, when the Centre abolished special status under Article 370 and split the erstwhile state into two union territories, stayed on a middle path throughout his speech at the newly built PCC headquarters in the heart of Srinagar. He took this opportunity to define a new strategy and approach of  Congress toward Jammu and Kashmir. He deliberately distanced himself from any reference to  Article 370.. It was different from the founding fathers of the post-Independence Indian nation, especially his own family that ruled the country for many years. His great grandfather and first Prime Minister of Independent India Jawahar Lal Nehru was instrumental in getting the special status to  Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Indian constitution. That was acceptance of the special rights and privileges of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir and its masses. Rahul however, moved on from that special status to the statehood mantra balancing what the people of J&K want and what is acceptable to the rest of the nation. In fact, it was realistic. He consciously avoided walk onto any political misadventure. Any promise on the restoration of Article 370 or special status to J&K could cost the party dear in the rest of the country. BJP has already challenged Congress on this issue. Sensing the sensitivities and sensibilities of the nation, Rahul did not move beyond the pitch for restoration of statehood but did not clarify whether this premise encompassed Ladakh, now a separate union territory, or  J&K as it exists on the current geographical and political map of the country. His ambiguity suggested that it was only for the UT of J&K. It was Rahul Gandhi’s first visit after the abrogation of Article 370 and division of the state into two union territories on August 5, 2019. Although he had made two attempts to visit Srinagar in 2019, but the administration packed him back to Delhi in the next available flight. On Monday evening he arrived in Srinagar and from that very moment it was clear that he would outline his party’s strategy vis-à-vis Jammu and Kashmir that had been reeling from a  severe political vacuum for the past over three years. Today, he not only attacked the Narendra Modi government for what he called “ opening of the reservoirs of hate and intimidation onto the people of J&K,” but also laid a claim to his Kashmiri lineage. “My family originally belonged to Kashmir, and I have the elements of Kashmiriyat that teach love and co-existence and respect for each other,” he said to underscore that his approach was different toward the people. “ Whenever I visit Kashmir, it is home-coming for me,” he said it emphatically. This was his way of saying that he understood Kashmir better because his blood and soul were rooted in Kashmir for generations. {"align":"center","id":129604,"width":537,"height":392,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} At the podium where he delivered a speech stressing for the statehood, among others those seated was Ghulam Nabi Azad, one of the topmost leaders of the party dissidents of G -23 who had complained of the absence of consultations in the party few months ago. Today Azad praised Rahul Gandhi for his qualities of head and heart and his love for the people of J&K. This turnaround of Azad has given a real political boost in the party that he needed to show that the party was one. Rahul said: “ We, in Congress party, are clear that the statehood must be restored to J&K and elections should be held . There is no substitute to the democratic setup, “ he said to the loud cheers of the party workers who had gathered in hundreds to greet and listen to him. This is the line that  Congress has taken after sensing the public mood in the nation where abrogation of Article 370 that abolished erstwhile state’s separate flag, constitution and all other symbols and contents of being special within the Indian union is seen as a fulfilment of a long-cherished dream of Kashmir land and jobs being available to one and all in the country. Rahul Gandhi paid obeisance at Kheer Bhawani,  one of the most revered Hindu shrines in the Valley, and also   Hazratbal, that houses holy relic of Prophet Mohammad. This was his way of reinforcing of respect for  one and all and the belief in Kashmiriyat. About the Author: Arun Joshi is a senior journalist based in J&K. He has worked with Hindustan Times, Times of India, Indian Express, and The Tribune. He has authored “ Eyewitness Kashmir: Teetering on Nuclear War” and three other books. DISCLAIMER This is the personal opinion of the author. The views expressed in this write up have nothing to do with it.