Rejecting reports of clampdown in Jammu & Kashmir, a group of intellectuals andacademicians in their report on the State said things were normal in the three regions of the State but suggested confidence-building measures to ensure equitable development of all regions and people.
“Overall Kashmir is going through intense churning. Kashmiris across the board seek healing from a corrupt,
oppressive, social and political culture that has emerged in Kashmir for the past 70 years and more intensely in the last 30 years,” said the report submitted by the group to Union Minister Jitendra Singh.
It said the team could feel the freedom in the air.
“People of Jammu region have welcomed the historic decision of the Indian Parliament on 5th and 6th August 2019 for setting aside of Articles 370, 35-A (of the Constitution) and all related provisions. Particularly the victims of Article 35-A are jubilant as they see a normal life for themselves henceforth. They feel that they have become like any other citizen of the state and the country. For these sections of the society, independence was achieved on 5th August 2019,” the report said.
However, it would be the responsibility of the state and the Centre to provide a healing touch to the already wronged sections of society, it said.
Founded in 2015, the Group of Intellectuals and Academicians (GIA) is a group of professional women and entrepreneurs, mediapersons and academicians committed to social justice and nation-building.
Members of the team include Monika Arora, advocate, Supreme Court; Sonali Chitalkar, Assistant Professor, Miranda House (Delhi University); Ritu Mathur, Assistant Professor, Zakir Husain College (Delhi University); and Poonam Bachheti, educationist.