ABOUT THE BOOK
Provocative, insightful and passionately argued, Kashmir: Beyond Article
370 brings a unique perspective to an increasingly polarized debate on
the dilution of Article 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution and subsequent
bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union
Territories. On one hand, the book raises some interesting but out of sight
issues that moulded public opinion in favour of the scrapping of the
special status of Jammu and Kashmir. On the other hand, it accurately highlights
the anti-India provocations leading to the unprecedented August 5 decision by
the Indian Parliament.
The book reveals how the government of India was prompted to
do away with the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and how the people in
Kashmir responded to the situation that emerged in the wake of the Indian
Parliament`s August 5 decision. The book provides a fascinating account of the
events that actually added to the ideological commitment of the BJP government
in revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
It gives a detailed account of the challenges the Indian
state faces in Kashmir post-Article 370 abrogation and explores what could be a
possible way out. The book suggests that revulsion against religious extremism
is pivotal in dealing with terrorism in all its manifestations.
The author argues that Kashmir has lost its special identity
to the extremist ideologies long ago as society let the fanatics get away
with their every attack on the unique identity of Kashmir without
protesting. The fanatics were allowed to impose their narrow worldview on
the people in Kashmir and they readily fell for it. The book argues that mutual
respect and affection amongst the people of all faiths in Kashmir for centuries
made it possible to create a common culture “Kashmiryat”. Unfortunately, that
culture has been butchered and vandalized by the extremists. So, the argument
that Article 370 protected Kashmir`s unique identity is vague.
The book highlights how the politics around article 370
pitched the people of the three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh against
each other and how this the article was used to create a communal divide by the
political elites in Jammu and Kashmir
It offers a much-needed corrective to the self-serving
narratives on both sides of the divisive debate and seeks to help us understand
Kashmir post-370 abrogation in a better way. It elaborates on how the
juggernaut of extremism emerged from the mosque and the madrasa and crushed
whosoever stood against it.
ABOUT Author
An audacious researcher in the dynamics of Kashmir conflict, a
motivational speaker, journalist and author based in Srinagar, Bashir Assad
extensively writes on the radicalization –a subject being discussed and debated
internationally by academics and policy researchers. His last book K
File, The Conspiracy of Silence is being discussed as a reference book across
the globe and is being translated in various languages across the world. Bashir
is being acclaimed for his very bold and insightful account on the conflict in
Kashmir. His work has more impact on the policy discourse on Kashmir precisely
because he provides an insider`s account. His efforts for rationalization of
narratives on Kashmir are being praised by keen Kashmir watchers. Bashir
provides a particularly useful analytical framework for better assessing and
explaining the complexity of the dynamics of Kashmir situation. With a clean
conscience, Bashir Assad raises his voice against religious fundamentalism and
fanaticism wherever and whenever it surfaced.