[Answered] What do you understand by the term ‘Idea of India’? Do you think recent action of Government of India in Jammu and Kashmir is against Idea of India?

The “Idea of India” is an idea of a united nation with a diverse, plural, secular, democratic and inclusive republic that is instituted in the Constitution. It envisage a strong united India with inclusiveness of all the social sects in its development and progress.

What is Idea of India?

1. It encapsulates the dreams and hopes of those who created this modern, democratic, and above all secular state. This Idea of India rejects the idea of a theocratic state of any religious majority.
2. It include a united India with scientific temper as a foundation of new India.
3. It is a welfare state that would actively work to develop the country for its people; the state has been given an important role.
4. The Idea envisages of a modern, educated, democratic, secular, technologically sophisticated society, with equality of opportunity, and gender equality, whose people enjoy a comfortable and healthy life. It offered, not just freedom of worship, but equal respect for all religions.

Idea of India vis-vis recent action by the government in Jammu and Kashmir: Recently Indian Government abrogated the Article 370 and created two union territory by splitting Jammu and Kashmir from Ladakh. This action would enhance Idea of India as:

1. Economic opportunities: Jammu & Kashmir had the highest monthly average unemployment rate of 15% between January 2016 and July 2019 among all the states. This step by government will enhance investment and job opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir. The significant move, opens up potential opportunities for development-led economic growth in the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh. This will help in achieving a more inclusive India with development spreading to even J&K.
2. Harmony: With action of government in J&K, separatist tendencies will reduce which are threat to Idea of India. Also, it will ensue that valley remain conducive for all and not only one religion or sect. This will allow harmony among various sects in the region.
3. Education: These actions would lead to opening up of institutions of national importance like IITs, IIMs in the valley. Professors who were not ready to go there as their children don’t get admission in schools will settle there. This will help in educating youth and will prevent their brainwashing by anti-social elements. Idea of India inherently include an overall educated society especially youth.
4. Security: It will bolster security in the valley through timely and swift action. National Intelligence would strengthen against terrorism through better presence in the valley. However, it will take some time to do so. Also due to designation as union territory the state’s police will not be answerable to Kashmir-based politicians. Rather, the police will answer to the centre. This move will help the centre better control violence in Kashmir. This will help in reducing role of external players in India, thereby promoting peace, security and cohesion in the society. A united India is inherent in idea of India.
5. Corruption: Idea of India means a corrupt free society with transparent administration. Earlier many of India’s anti-corruption laws were not applicable in Kashmir. It is widely recognised that political actors in the state have long been on the payroll of all sides, allowing them to accumulate vast wealth. Now central government can effectively act against corruption paving way for development of the region.
6. Better Rights: India can’t progresswithout ensuring basic rights to its citizens. Article 370 had numerous pernicious impacts. Kashmir’s citizens were denied many of the advantages of modern India. For example, it prevented the implementation of the Right to Education in the valley. It also denied residents of the erstwhile Kashmir the advantages of the system of reservations enjoyed by other disadvantaged caste communities. Now J&K people will enjoy all such rights.

Although Government action in J&K has many short term consequences, it would lead to integration of J&K into Idea of India with development and inclusiveness of J&K in the country’s progress. What is required is active participation of all the stakeholders not only in J&K but also in other regions to grow together and ensuring peace and cohesion in the society.