CHICAGO – Sudhakar Dalela, India’s Consul General at Chicago, has emphatically stated that amending its constitution is India’s sovereign right, and the temporary Article 370—an impediment in J&K’s development—has been modified to ensure Kashmiris benefit from India’s prosperity. He added that Pakistan’s desperate attempts to infiltrate terror-outfit Daish into India have been corked through the soon-to-be-lifted restrictions imposed at a few sensitive spots in the Valley. He was addressing the media-men at a well-attended ‘Quickly-Conference’ in his office. “Democratic process will very soon be reinstated in J&K,” he reaffirmed.

Firmly rejecting the propaganda that the valley is under curfew, Sudhakar Dalela informed that 91 percent of the valley is free of any day-time restriction; and that: “The restrictions had been eased early-August 2019.” He added that situation in Kashmir is peaceful and not even a single bullet has been fired. Consul General stated that restrictions exist only in some sensitive spots from where “Pakistan is trying hard to pump in Diash,” a terror-outfit. It is pertinent to mentioned here that “credible” intelligence reports vouch that Pakistan is attempting hard to push some 275 Afghan and Pashtun mercenaries into J&K. Around 80 terrorists are camping near Gurez Valley, 60 in Machhal, 50 in Karnah, 40 in Keran, 20 in Uri, 15 in Naugam and 10 in Rampur. The partially imposed restrictions have aided India to fail Pakistan’s such nefarious attempts.

Flanked by his lieutenants, Ranjit Singh and PK Misra, Consul General described the amendment of the Constitution as India’s “internal matter and sovereign right.” He gave an extensive view of the day-to-day life in J&K. Consul General stated that all landlines are functional there, and mobility has been restored in all districts of Jammu, Ladhak and in Kupwara. Normalcy of life is clear from the fact that over 700,000 patients have visited the hospitals during the month of August; 60000 LPG cylinders have been delivered and consumed in Kashmiri households; 1.5 Lakh Metric Tons of harvested fruit crop has been transported from Kashmir to the Mandis. As regards air travel, 8 terminals are functional in Srinagar Airport. Such figures clearly refute Pakistan’s propaganda, he added.

“Credible” intelligence reports vouch that Pakistan is attempting hard to push some 275 Afghan and Pashtun mercenaries into J&K. Around 80 terrorists are camping near Gurez Valley, 60 in Machhal, 50 in Karnah, 40 in Keran, 20 in Uri, 15 in Naugam and 10 in Rampur."

Sudhakar Dalela said that modification of Article 370, will, in fact, further enhance Kashmir’s prosperity in due course of time. “Women, Children, and common man” in Kashmir will now be able to “enjoy the fruit of the laws of India” that the Article 370 has so far been denying to them. “It was a temporary provision. This Article was not fulfilling the required objective of development to take place in the J&K region,” Consul General emphasized. He informed that $40 billion had been spent on Kashmir in last seven decades but has shown little results over there. “The Article 370 has been keeping the Kashmiris away from enjoying the fruits of the progressive laws that the India Parliament has passed to benefit people,” the Consul General Sudhakar Dalela stated. “The modifications in Article 370 are aimed at better governance and socio-economic development [in the Valley],” he added.

Sudhakar Dalela said that there is no communal angle in the recently carried out reorganization of J&K: “There is neither any communal angle, nor any attempt to override any cultural or religious group.” The Article has rather fueled separatism and played into the hands of the separatists like Hurriat and their protégés. Post-Abbrogation, positive developmental effects of the abrogation have right away begun to be visible. “A recruitment drive—largest ever—to fulfill 50000 vacancies in government jobs has commenced. Six new power and infrastructure projects worth Rupees 270 crores have been initiated in Srinagar itself. 29000 Kashmiri youth have registered to join India Armed Forces in a recruitment camp held at a place called Reasi.

Citing from Prime Minister Modi’s speech, Sudhakar Dalela said that "democratic process shall very soon be restored to the J&K." It will result in uplifting the state of the underprivileged. The women shall get full rights to their property that the Article 370 had been circumstantially denying to them. The abrogation will give a big boost to tourism, naturopathy, education, health, and land reforms; investments will be pumped in and jobs market will flourish in J&K. Handicraft industry too shall get a boost, he added.

“All the Fundamental Rights available to the citizens of the rest of India, will now be available to the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladhak as well; this includes the Fundamental Right to Education. The benefits meant for the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, OBCs—the India’s version of Affirmative Action—will now be extended to disadvantage sections,” Consul General stated.

Consul General stated that the fears of people loosing their land are unfounded. None is obligated to sell their land. In fact the property shall appreciate to come at par with national index which is steeply high.

Consul General Sudhakar Dalela took question towards the end of the conference.