Five Years After Article 370’s Abrogation, Kashmir Celebrates Independence Day With Newfound Hope

Five years since the abrogation of Article 370, the move, which revoked the region’s special status, has brought about transformative changes in Kashmir. The streets of Srinagar are adorned with tricolour lighting, reflecting the region’s enthusiasm for India’s 78th Independence Day on August 15. The streets of Srinagar, once a hub of separatist activity, are now decorated with tricolour lighting, symbolizing the region’s integration with the rest of India.

Enhanced Security and Stability

The abrogation of Article 370 has led to improved security, increased tourism, and a sense of unity among the people of Kashmir. It heralded a “new era of peace, development, and prosperity.” Jubilant Kashmiris are holding the tricolour in their hands, eager to be part of the growth story of a “resurgent” India. After August 5, 2019, schools, colleges, and universities remained open during the summer season, unlike a few years ago when incidents of stone pelting and strikes were reported almost daily.

Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale, during his recent visit to Kashmir, said, “Kashmir is moving ahead in the direction of peace.” On the security front, there has been a “significant improvement” in the overall situation in the valley. In July, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai informed the Lok Sabha that “80 per cent of deaths of the people have been reduced now as compared to when the Congress was in power. After the abrogation of Article 370, at least 200 terrorists have been killed by the Indian Army.”

READ MORE: Happy Independence Day! Google Doodle Celebrates India’s 77 Years Of Independence

Tourism Boom: New Opportunities for Growth

According to government statistics, tourism in Kashmir has seen an unprecedented surge, with record numbers of visitors in 2023 and 2024. The region is also emerging as a hub for adventure and golf tourism, with previously unknown locations being opened up to tourists. As per the government, a total of 1,08,41,009 tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir between January and June 2024 and 2,11,24,674 in 2023—an all-time high so far—followed by 1,88,64,332 tourists in 2022, 1,13,14,884 in 2021, and 34,70,834 tourists in 2020. Border tourism has picked up in Jammu and Kashmir, with hitherto unknown locations such as Gurez, Keran, Teetwal, and RS Pura being opened up for tourism. The Union Territory is also emerging in adventure and golf tourism.

Record Voter Turnout: Increased Political Engagement

The recent Lok Sabha elections saw the highest voter turnout in the last 35 years, indicating a growing sense of participation and ownership among the people of Kashmir. Srinagar, Baramulla (once considered a hotbed of militancy), and Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituencies saw record turnout in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. According to the Election Commission, the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency recorded 54.3 per cent voter turnout, compared to 14.3 per cent in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. This year’s elections also saw high voter turnouts in the other two parliamentary constituencies in the valley: Srinagar (38.49 per cent) and Baramulla (59.1 per cent), the highest in several decades. Overall, the voter turnout in the three constituencies in the valley was 50.63 per cent, compared to 19.16 per cent in 2019. Polling took place in 2,338 polling stations across the Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary constituency, with live webcasting at the polling stations. A total of 20 candidates, including two women, contested for the Lok Sabha seat from Anantnag-Rajouri. The Commission also enabled Kashmiri migrant voters residing at various relief camps in Delhi, Jammu, and Udhampur to vote in person at designated special polling stations or use postal ballots.

Prime Minister Modi’s Vision: Unity and Development

Moreover, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the valley and the hosting of high-profile events like the G20 meeting have further underscored the region’s newfound importance. Earlier in May, in an interview with ANI, PM Modi said, “Article 370 was the agenda of only four-five families; it was neither the agenda of the people of Kashmir nor the agenda of the people of the country. For their benefit, they had built such a wall of 370 and used to say that if 370 was removed, there would be a fire…Today it has become true that after the removal of 370, there is a feeling of more unity. The feeling of belongingness is increasing among the people of Kashmir and hence its direct result is also visible in elections, tourism.”

In August 2019, the Centre revoked Article 370, which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the region into two Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The abrogation of Article 370 is seen as a turning point in the region’s history, marking a shift towards greater integration, development, and peace.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Newsx staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

ALSO READ: How Delhi Became India’s Capital: Tracing Historical Journey