Gupkar Declaration Notwithstanding, Restoration Of Special Status Is Not Possible In J&K
Editor-in-Chief of indiacommentary.com. Current Affairs analyst and political commentator.
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By Sunil Garodia
First publised on 2020-10-21 18:12:06
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Editor-in-Chief of indiacommentary.com. Current Affairs analyst and political commentator.
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Five major regional parties in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and a so-called national party, the CPI(M), supported by two other regional parties, have formed the "People's Alliance of Gupkar Decleration" to fight for the restoration of statehood and the special status enjoyed by the erstwhile state of J & K under the abrogated Article 370 of the constitution. The NC, the PDP, the People's Conference, the Awami National Conference, the J&K People's Movement and the CPI(M) have formed the alliance and they have been supported by the Awami Ittehad party and the People's Democratic Front.
While restoration of statehood is a valid demand and the Centre has already confirmed that it will be granted in due time, the newly-formed alliance lives in a fool's paradise if it thinks that Article 370 will be restored or any kind of special status will be granted to J&K. Once it is granted statehood, the truncated state of J&K (after the separation of Ladakh) will be like any other state in India and will enjoy the same privileges and benefits and will have the same responsibilities as all other states of the Indian union. The demand for special privileges and benefits is unlikely to be entertained.
The regional parties have the option of accepting this and participating in the electoral process to give the people a government of their choice under the new scheme or boycotting the elections and letting those who stand get elected and form the government. But they must remember that the aspirations of the people will be fulfilled if the parties who have experience of governing take part in the electoral process. Hence, they should form their policies under the new scheme of things. Of course they can fight for restoration of special status. That is their democratic right. But they should do it by being a part of the new system and not from outside.
