There was no exchange of sweets between India and Pakistan forces along the International Border neither was the normal festive atmosphere present in J&K. An uneasy calm prevailed and people went through with a rather muted Eid celebration. J&K was the cynosure of all eyes ever since the government repealed Article 370 which granted it a special status and split it into two Union Territories. Opposition political leaders have been training their guns, and are rivals across the border. J&K had the attention of key figures across the globe. And this certainly was a key moment for the Narendra Modi government.
Amid a virtual lockdown, Jammu witnessed a guarded celebration as markets in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley remained shut including the bakeries and sweet marts. Restrictions on communication and free movement continued. The normal festive hustle and bustle was missing in key parts of the region. The Eidgah ground saw a turnout of around 5000 while there were lesser crowds at the Hazratbal Shrine, the Syed Saheb mosque and the TRC ground. Police sirens and IAF helicopters hovered overhead breaking the silence and armed security men were seen deployed in every nook and corner.
Distraught sections, including political figures continued to be in “mourning” and squarely blamed the government on what they called as “illegal annexation of their land”. Even as the tension was distinctly visible in the air, the men in uniform went about their job. The day passed off without a single bullet being fired. And this would be the biggest confidence booster for the government on the occasion of Eid.
The argument that people of the region were denied their right to celebrate is hollow. While it is the right of the Muslim community to praise, worship and celebrate, it is also the responsibility of the Central government to ensure their safety and security. The Modi-government is duty-bound in protecting each and every individual of the region
Against such a backdrop, the government had to devote all its energies to ensure that there is no untoward incident, purely in the interest of the people of the region. The Eid festivities may have lacked the enthusiasm, but the fact that the people offered namaz and celebrated without any violence is in complete consonance with the spirit of the holy Quran.
The road to normalcy in the region is fraught with huge challenges. There are internal and external forces working against the system and that makes it even tougher. There may be curbs and curfew and there may be restrictions on civil liberties, but at the end of it all, it is in the entire interest of the people of the region. Any untoward incidence of violence hereon will have serious repercussions. If the government is promising a great future to the people of the region, the first test was today and the Centre has passed it with flying colours.
