August 5, 2019, marks yet another black and unfortunate day in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, when the BJP government of Narendra Modi repelled the special status of the region granted under Article 370 on January 26, 1950. Jammu and Kashmir have exercised autonomy in their internal affairs, except defense, communications, foreign affairs, and finance. To defend its decision, the BJP government highlighted the necessity of national integration, unity, economic development, equal rights for all Indian citizens and to improve security and stability in the region.

On occasions, the Indian leaders argued that the autonomy in Kashmir was a serious barricade to national unity and integration and to bring prosperity and economic development to the region. Equally, it was important to end the discrimination against the non-permanent residents, a law providing special rights and privileges to Indigenous Kashmiris under Article 35A.

The decision met with mixed reactions. Some hailed the decision, while others criticized it for undermining the region’s autonomy for political purposes. Given the above-stated background, this article examines the Indianization of Kashmir by the BJP and its repercussions for the Indigenous population.

August 5, 2019, marks yet another black and unfortunate day in the history of Jammu and Kashmir.

The people of Jammu and Kashmir largely rejected Kashmir’s accession to India by Maharaja Harri Singh in 1947, and the same has been demonstrated after August 2019. Since the start, BJP leadership has been touting that abrogation could bring national integration and unity to the Indian state. Still, the deceptive policy of India has been rejected by the people of Kashmir.

In 2019, Narendra Modi ordered the deployment of additional troops in the region, suspended internet and cellular networks for months, invoked curfew, denied free speech and movement, and jailed pro-freedom Kashmiri leadership. Such actions validate the illegality of the decision and a stern response from the people of Kashmir, who have always rejected the Indian annexation and colonization.

Economic development was yet another agenda to abrogate Article 370, but the ground realities provide a dark side of the story. The Indian government has unleashed a suppressive campaign in the region, damaging the commercial and private property of Muslim individuals. During search and cordon operations (SCOs), properties, orchards, and farmlands have been damaged on false allegations of terror-sponsoring.

The Indian government has unleashed a suppressive campaign in the region, damaging the commercial and private property of Muslim individuals.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, among others, have raised concerns about the impact of security measures on civilians, including property damage. On his visit to Srinagar, Prime Minister Modi announced various development projects worth over Rs 6400 crore, hailing for a new era of development.

Nonetheless, comparing the unemployment figures with the national average in India exposes abject poverty and deprivation. As of June 2023, the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) reported around 21.6% unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir, compared to a 7.8% unemployment rate in India.

The new residency law also contributes to Narendra Modi’s Indianization campaign. According to recent statistics, the Indian government has issued more than 4 million domicile certificates to non-state subjects, largely bringing demographic change to the region. The relaxed residency rules allow individuals who have resided in Jammu and Kashmir for 15 years or have studied there for seven years and appeared in Class 10 or 12 examinations to apply for domicile certificates.

Due to heavy deployment, Jammu and Kashmir has become the most militarized region in the world.

The domicile certificates, coupled with the NOC issuance to the Indian businesses, allow Indian Hindus to work and settle in the region, massively destabilizing the demographic advantage of Muslims. After getting lease certificates, industrialists are now able to set up their industrial units in the region, bringing Hindu labor, damaging the ecosystem, and depriving Muslims of their lands and properties.

Security and stability have always remained close to the heart of the Indian state, for which New Delhi has deployed around a million troops in the region. Due to heavy deployment, Jammu and Kashmir has become the most militarized region in the world, which is facing state-sponsored suppression, illegal detentions, extra-judicial killings, gang rapes, torture, and inhumane treatment. In addition to involvement in unlawful activities, the Indian army is also occupying the land in Jammu and Kashmir over the pretext of strategic significance.

After the abrogation of Article 370, there has been an increase in land acquisitions for military and strategic purposes. In December 2020, the Indian government amended land laws in Jammu and Kashmir, allowing anyone from any part of the country to buy land in the Union Territory except agricultural land. This has also facilitated easier acquisition of land for military and other purposes. Local communities have raised concerns about displacement, loss of agricultural land, and inadequate compensation, which led to social and economic disruptions for affected families.

The domicile certificates, coupled with the NOC issuance to Indian businesses, allow Indian Hindus to work and settle in the region.

The statehood was abolished through the Reorganization Act of 2019, which divided Jammu and Kashmir into two Union territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The change brought the region under the direct administrative control of New Delhi, fully implementing the legal, social, economic, and administrative laws. To appease its voter base and win future elections, the BJP also brought the “Delimitation Act,” through which political representation has been altered.

According to the commission’s final order, the Jammu region now has 43 seats, up from 37, while the Kashmir region has 47 seats, up from 46. Critics argue that the new delimitation does not accurately reflect the population proportions of the two regions, potentially diluting the political influence of the Kashmir Valley.

The actions of the BJP government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi expose its anti-Muslim and anti-Kashmir agenda to make it a permanent part of India. The domicile law, delimitation act, and the new industrial policy all demonstrate the effort of the BJP to dilute and dismantle the Muslim majority of Jammu and Kashmir, to which it has used all illegal and unlawful tactics.