Modi back in Kashmir five years after ending its autonomy
India's prime minister travelled to Srinagar for his first official visit since the territory, which is disputed with Pakistan, lost its special status in 2019. As union elections loom, Modi spoke about development projects, but said nothing about a return to local statehood.
Srinagar (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to Srinagar today, Kashmir for his first official visit to the territory since its special autonomy was abolished in 2019.
Addressing a crowd at a football stadium, Modi announced a series of development projects, blaming previous governments for misleading the population about the territory’s special status.
“This new Jammu-Kashmir has the courage to overcome any challenge,” the prime minister said. “The country is seeing these smiling faces of yours … [and] feeling relieved to see you all happy.”
Kashmir is a Muslim-majority area that was divided between India and Pakistan at the end of British rule in 1947. Since then, it has been disputed by the two countries.
It is one of the most militarised regions in the world, and has experienced an insurgency by groups seeking independence or merger with Pakistan. The latter controls a section of the greater Kashmir region, and, like India, claims the whole.
In 2019, Delhi decided to suppress Kashmir’s special status granted under the Indian Constitution, splitting the area into two separate Union territories (Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh), which are now directly ruled by India's central government.
Recently, on X (formerly Twitter), Modi said that his government wants to promote farming and tourism in the territory, as well as develop the area around the Hazratbal Muslim shrine.
Observers believe the visit is part of Modi’s campaign ahead for national elections in April and May.
Although Union (federal) Affairs Home Minister Amit Shah repeatedly promised that the territory would regain its status after the election, Prime Minister Modi made no mention of this in his address.
The prime minister did say that since the territory has been integrated into India, it will have its own legislative assembly.
In December, India's Supreme Court upheld the 2019 decision, but also called on the government to hold elections by September.
Many locals believe that civil rights and press freedom have been restricted in Kashmir.
Most schools were closed for the prime minister's visit and civil servants were invited to attend the event.
Former Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah noted that the government bussed in people for the event; otherwise, “almost none” would have come on their own.
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11/01/2024 18:18
14/07/2023 19:05
