Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s latest statement at an election rally in Jammu and Kashmir caught the attention of political observers and the public alike. In a significant move, Shah urged terror groups in the region to lay down their arms and come forward for talks if they had any grievances to raise. While this approach mirrors the government’s previous outreach to insurgent groups in North-Eastern states like Assam, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh, it marks the first time the government in New Delhi has extended such an olive branch to home-grown terror groups operating in Kashmir, often backed by Pakistan. Historically, terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir have enjoyed support from local political factions. Successive governments led by the National Conference (NC) under Sheikh Abdullah and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) under Mehbooba Mufti played a key role in sustaining a political climate that indirectly emboldened these terror outfits. The uneasy alliance between the BJP and PDP in 2015, which shocked many political analysts, was seen as a strategic maneuver by the BJP to edge out Congress and NC from power. This coalition enabled the BJP to gain a foothold in Kashmir, a region traditionally dominated by pro-Pakistan sentiments, and set the stage for the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A—a move that drastically altered the political and legal landscape of the state. Articles 370 and 35A were introduced into the Indian Constitution at the behest of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. These provisions granted Jammu and Kashmir a special status, allowing it to have its own flag, constitution, and considerable autonomy, while still receiving significant financial assistance from the central government. The genesis of these articles can be traced back to the unique circumstances under which Jammu and Kashmir acceded to India after the partition. Nehru, influenced by his close friendship with Sheikh Abdullah, ensured that these temporary provisions became entrenched in the region’s politics, inadvertently creating a breeding ground for separatist ideologies.
For decades, these provisions allowed political dynasties like the Abdullahs and Muftis to maintain power while the state bled due to cross-border terrorism, encouraged and financed by Pakistan. Despite repeated wars and conflicts, including Pakistan’s failed attempts to annex Kashmir, India’s hands were tied by international diplomacy, notably Nehru’s decision to take the issue to the United Nations in 1948—a move that continues to haunt Indian foreign policy. The BJP, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, came to power in 2014 with a clear electoral promise to abrogate Articles 370 and 35A. The party achieved this historic feat in 2019, after years of carefully maneuvering the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP’s alliance with the PDP allowed it access to crucial information and administrative insights, which ultimately paved the way for the revocation of the state’s special status. With the abrogation, Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh—ending decades of political ambiguity and fostering a new era of direct governance from New Delhi. Since the abrogation, the region has seen relative peace, with incidents of stone-pelting and terror attacks significantly reduced. The demonetization drive, another strong economic initiative by the Modi government, played a pivotal role in curbing the flow of counterfeit currency from Pakistan, which had long been used to fund terrorism in the Valley. The strengthened security apparatus, aided by local police, paramilitary forces, and the army, has kept infiltration under control, while the state has seen a notable improvement in infrastructure and development.
Amit Shah’s call for terror groups to lay down arms and enter into talks is both a tactical and political move. By extending an olive branch, the government is signalling its confidence in having weakened the terror infrastructure to a point where negotiations can now be held from a position of strength. The offer is reminiscent of the government’s strategy in the North-East, where insurgent groups laid down arms in exchange for peace talks, resulting in stability and development in the region. However, critics argue that the timing of Shah’s statement, coming as it does in the midst of a high-stakes election, may be politically motivated. With two phases of the three-phase election already completed, the BJP is eyeing a potential majority in the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir assembly, which could give the party a historic victory in a region once dominated by anti-BJP sentiments. Meanwhile, the NC and Congress alliance remains fractured, with internal differences weakening their prospects. The PDP, sidelined after drawing a blank in the recent Lok Sabha polls, is unlikely to pose a significant threat, making the BJP’s electoral path somewhat smoother. Amit Shah’s invitation for talks must be seen in the context of the broader geopolitical challenges facing India, particularly the ongoing proxy war waged by Pakistan. For decades, Islamabad has vowed to bleed India through “a thousand cuts,” using terrorism as a weapon. However, the BJP’s strong national security stance, coupled with its economic and political reforms, has shifted the balance of power. Terror outfits in Kashmir are now left with little local support, and the international community has largely backed India’s position on Kashmir post-abrogation. While Shah’s outreach may be welcomed by peace-loving citizens, it remains to be seen whether the terror groups will heed his call. Should they refuse, the BJP is likely to continue its hardline approach, further diminishing their influence in a region that is slowly but steadily moving toward normalcy.
