B I Saini 
One year has passed since the Narendra Modi government virtually did away with Article 370 of the Constitution, ending Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. More salt was rubbed into Kashmir’s wounds by downgrading and splitting the State into two Union Territories.This was accompanied with large scale arrests and detentions of political leaders and suppression of civil liberties. Curbs on the media and means of communication made Kashmir virtually an open jail.
COVID 19 led to imposition of lockdowns in the whole of India since March this year. But Jammu and Kashmir has been under strict lockdown for the past one year.The Narendra Modi dispensation has tried to justify the tough curbs and detentions by claiming that this has helped maintain peace in the strife torn area. But it has been the silence of the grave, not of a living community.
Some of the curbs have been eased, and political leaders released selectively from detention. But curbs on political activities continue, with prominent political leaders unable even to hold a get together to formulate a joint stand.A recent development has been targeting of BJP workers in the Kashmir valley by underground elements. This has resulted in the BJP small time leaders and workers quitting the party to protect themselves.
A war of attrition appears to be going on in Kashmir between the authorities and the underground forces. The Narendra Modi dispensation claims that Kashmir is on the way back to normalcy. Hopefully, it is not the lull before the storm.
(Political Analyst)
