Yesterday was the 5th anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 from India’s constitution…
Here are five forms of apartheid that were wiped out when Article 370 was removed:
– Apartheid against Valmiki community ended
In 1957, members of the Valmiki community came to Kashmir on invitation from the state government to work as safai karamcharis. Even 62 years later, those people and their descendants were not allowed to take up any job other than as sweepers, including Eklavya Valmiki, who had a PhD but was not entitled to any government job other than that of safai karamchari.
– Apartheid against Gorkhas ended
About 1 lakh Gorkhas live in Jammu and Kashmir. Their ancestors moved there in the mid-19th century. And they still did not have the right to own land in the state. On top of that, thousands of them have served in the Indian Army.
Imagine serving in the Indian Army and still being a second class citizen of India, unable to own land.
– Apartheid against Jammu came to an end.
The Jammu region is home to 47% of people in J&K. But the state has never had a Chief Minister from Jammu. How is that possible?
Because the J&K Assembly was rigged at birth. In the 87 member legislative assembly, a full 46 seats were allotted to Kashmir. But Jammu was allotted only 37 seats, below its share of the population. This was a very deliberate arrangement, ensuring that Kashmiris and only Kashmiris would control the whole state. In essence, the principle of one person one vote was abandoned to appease a particular group of people.
– Apartheid against women came to an end
The Islamist patriarchy that ruled J&K controlled the life choices of women in very direct ways. A woman choosing to marry outside the state could no longer pass on her property to her children. In fact, women of J&K would receive state subject certificates emblazoned with the insulting remark “valid until marriage.” For those who cry “Kaagaz Nahin Dikhayenge”, how would you like to carry around an official paper stating that your citizenship is temporary, valid only until so and so?
– Apartheid against homosexuals came to an end
In a Sep 2018, the Supreme Court decriminalised homosexuality. The decision was welcomed almost universally, even as some idiotic organisations were left carrying the torch for bigoted jurassic-era views on sexuality.
Contrary to perception, the 2018 verdict did not apply to every part of India. Thanks to Article 370, homosexuality was still criminal in Jammu and Kashmir. Not as of August 6, 2019.
The end of Article 370 was the end of apartheid in India. We should all celebrate this. If you are a woman, gay, Valmiki, Gorkha or from Jammu, this is for you.
Today, we celebrate yet another anniversary of the end of apartheid. Ten days later, we celebrate Independence Day.
August is a great month!!! 🇮🇳🙏🏻
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