Modern Diplomacy in an article published on December 18 presented an unverified narrative on Kashmir and its state of affairs

Claim:

Modern Diplomacy, a news portal in its recent article, said economic resources of Kashmir are being diverted to Indian states. To destroy traditional shawl-making cottage industry, pashmina wool is being transported to Uttar Pradesh and other Indian states for processing. Kashmiri students and other people from various walks of life are not being treated at par with residents of Indian states.

Real Picture:

From 2000 to 2016, Jammu and Kashmir has received 10 percent of all Central grants, despite having only one percent of India’s population. That means the region with a population of 12.55 million, according to the 2011 Census received Rs 91,300 per person over the last sixteen years. For the year 2021-22, the Union Territory received nearly 10 percent of funds under the Centrally sponsored schemes. In fact, over the years, the region has got far more financial support from the Centre than other states. For the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission alone, Jammu and Kashmir has received Rs 2,747 crore.

In contrast, Uttar Pradesh which makes up about 13 percent of the country’s population received only 8.2 percent of Central grants in 2000-16. That means Uttar Pradesh received only Rs 4,300 per person in the past sixteen years. Similarly for the financial year 2021-22, the largest state of India received Rs 10,870.5 crore under Jal Jeevan Mission. In the financial year 2021-22 till August 31, 2021, UP received Rs 16,415 crore under centrally sponsored schemes.

These data show that funds are poured in Jammu and Kashmir by the Centre to sustain developmental programmes there. Besides, every effort is made to encourage the growth of cottage industry in the Union Territory. Then the Centre has already made an announcement that it has approved Rs 28, 400-crore new industrial developmental scheme, paving the way for attracting investments and creating jobs for the youth in the Union Territory.

Read the complete article in the New Indian Express

https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/jan/08/centre-approves-rs-28000-crore-plan-to-draw-industries-in-jk-2247124.html

Claim:

Modern Diplomacy said Muslims are lynched in India for flimsy reasons like, for instance, wearing a prayer cap, offering prayers in open space (Gurgaon) or on roads on Fridays if the mosques are overcrowded.

Real picture:

India is safe for all its 1.3 billion people, including Muslims. All Indians are united in their fight against the virus. Unfortunately, Indians also face a challenge from a growing breed of “Modiphobes”. Many of them are Indian. For them, the removal of Article 370, which was applicable to Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists in Jammu and Kashmir, becomes an anti-Muslim act. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, which doesn’t affect a single Indian, becomes anti-Muslim. This is because they are blinded by their hatred for Modi and so attempt to build a false narrative. And many well-meaning people end up falling for this.

Read the complete article in Hindustan Times:

https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/india-is-safe-for-all-indians-across-all-faiths/story-S3Kcph3NFtK84dM0knyImM.html

Modern Diplomacy quoted former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah as stating about denial of rights to people in Kashmir and Ladakh. Abdullah pointed out that the BJP government had not only scrapped Articles 370 and 35-A, but also precipitated financial and economic breakdown of Kashmir.

Real picture:

Following the scrapping of Articles 370 and 35-A, major changes have been brought about on socio-economic fronts in Jammu and Kashmir. Unjust laws have been removed, people have been empowered bringing in equity and fairness to those discriminated against since ages.

Article 370 had become an instrument of exploitation by the few political high-ups in the state and the common people did not benefit from it at all. A sense of separate identity of the state was being developed, people were denied the feeling of being the citizens of the great democratic country like India whose constitution guarantees all its citizens freedom, equality and social justice irrespective of religion, caste, creed or sex. There were rampant complaints of discrimination against the Jammu and Ladakh regions and communities like Valmikies, Tribals, Gurkhas, Paharies, Women, Gujjars, Bakarwals, OBC’s, minority communities, west Pakistan refugees, etc, were treated as second class citizens. That is why the bold initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of abrogating Article 370 was hailed not only by the people of the country, but varied sections of almost all the communities across the state.

Read the complete article in DailyExcelsior.com https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/jk-after-abrogation-of-art-370/