On 7 March 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first official visit to Kashmir since the Central Government abrogated Article 370 in 2019.

“This is the new Kashmir we all have been waiting for decades,” said the Prime Minister while addressing a packed Bakshi stadium in Srinagar. He added that Article 370 had only benefited a few politicians and their families and that Kashmir had been touching new heights of progress and prosperity since its abrogation.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who was also present at the occasion, highlighted the various developmental initiatives taken up in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. He said, “No more youth are hit by pellets or lose their sight. No innocents get killed. Youth have laptops rather than stones in their hands.”

Since the abrogation of Article 370, all the rights enshrined in the Constitution of India and the benefits of central laws that were available to other citizens of the country have become available to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The decades-old issue of Jammu and Kashmir is unarguably a result of the negative leadership of Kashmir, who, instead of showing society the path of success, relied on showing the path of failure and victimhood. Over the years, many leaders in Kashmir even tried giving it a religious form and instigating violence whilst forgetting the very saying of the Prophet of Islam in which he had advised his followers not to adopt the path of violence. A negative approach can never yield any positive results, which holds true in Kashmir’s case. On the contrary, the first victim of a negative mindset is the person himself. The focus should have been on education and economics; instead, the people were fed with empty slogans and unrealistic dreams. As a result, the region, which had the potential to become a model of prosperity and progress, fell into years of instability and violence. The situation demanded a realistic approach, but an unrealistic one was applied instead.

It is always possible for a person to start anew, but two prerequisites must be met. Firstly, the individual should take accountability for their situation. Secondly, they must come out of their illusionary world and learn to live in a world with practical realities. The people of Kashmir must also meet these conditions. They need to realise that peace is the only way towards prosperity for humanity.

Per the law of nature, there are abundant opportunities in the world. Even if we miss out on one opportunity, another one presents itself. To make progress and contribute positively to society, it is crucial to forget about missed opportunities and focus on the new ones available. Nazim, a Kashmiri youth who engaged with the Prime Minister at the same event, is a prime example of someone who has taken advantage of opportunities.

Thanks to modern technology, people from anywhere in the world can now communicate with each other without any restrictions. This means that even individuals or groups that are not part of the political class or do not have a state of their own can still enjoy the benefits that were previously available only to the ruling class.

If one wants to learn how staying away from violence and negativity can lead to success, then modern-day Japan is a perfect example to study. However, avoiding violence doesn’t just mean refraining from physical acts. Passive violence, which includes negative thoughts, must also be abandoned. The constitution’s preamble of UNESCO declares, “That since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed”.

Man is a complex creature with a complex psychology. His entire personality can become negative if negative emotions and impulses drive him. Conversely, if someone is inspired by positive thinking, their personality can become positive. This rule applies as much to groups, communities, and countries as it does to individuals. Opportunistic leaders promote feelings of rejection or deprivation in society, which forms the basis of their politics. On the other hand, positive leadership makes opportunity the basis of its politics instead of scarcity.

Today, Kashmir requires a leadership that can guide its people towards a more pragmatic approach rather than relying on emotional impulses. Progress cannot be made through emotional politics alone. Kashmiris must reassess their past and chart a new path towards a brighter future free from negativity and violence.

Kashmir is blessed in many ways, from vast, untapped resources to beautiful nature. If the Taj Mahal symbolises architectural beauty, Kashmir is the symbol of the beauty of nature. However, to fully unlock the potential of Kashmir, it is imperative to take advantage of the available opportunities and as Prime Minister Modi has stated, “the success story of Jammu and Kashmir will be the centre of attraction for the world.”