Direction: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
The Jammu and Kashmir State government’s decision to abruptly end the Amarnath pilgrimage, at least a fortnight ahead of schedule, citing terror threats, is intriguing. The announcement came close on the heels of an unexplained troop surge in the State, already one of the most militarized regions of the world. Governments usually tend to be miserly with information, and on questions related to national security they are more stridently so. By the very nature of the security apparatus, it is impossible for Parliament, the media or the general public to access information that is not voluntarily provided by the executive. Hence, it is imperative to accept the State government’s position that the decision on curtailment of the yatra season was taken “keeping in view the latest intelligence inputs of terror threats, with specific targeting of the Amarnath Yatra, and given the prevailing security situation in the Kashmir Valley”. There could be valid professional and tactical reasons for the limited transparency in security management. But the Narendra Modi government has stretched this principle to intolerance to request for transparency in general, often questioning the patriotism of those seeking meaningful information.
This government has been unequivocal and outspoken about its intentions to push forward with annulling the special status that Jammu and Kashmir is accorded in the Constitution through Articles 370 and 35A. The government is clear that there is nothing to negotiate with anyone in the Valley or about the Valley with anyone. An interlocutor appointed by the Centre is defunct. The BJP and the Centre have also been pursuing a policy of undermining the mainstream political parties in the State through administrative measures and political rhetoric. True, the governance track record of the People’s Democratic Party and the National Conference falls far short of inspiring; nevertheless, these parties have been integral to the ways in which New Delhi engaged with the Valley. Pakistan may be puppeteering the separatist Hurriyat, but New Delhi will have to engage with all stakeholders in resolving the conflict in the Valley. Unfortunately, the first BJP government with a majority of its own in the Lok Sabha has instead upended the policy of the first Vajpayee-led BJP government which sought to strengthen the regional parties, engage the separatists and Pakistan to make progress towards peace. In recent years, the situation in the Valley has worsened and tensions between India and Pakistan have become aggravated. New Delhi quite rightly rebuffed U.S. President Donald Trump who, evidently in search of an arena for peacemaking after failing to make headway with North Korea, offered to mediate. But while dealing directly with the challenge in Kashmir, it must realise any misstep can be costly.
Question for Reading Comprehension Passage: 47
Try yourself:Which among the following is correct regarding the approach of the central government towards the regional parties in Kashmir?
Explanation
Refer to, “The BJP and the Centre have also been pursuing a policy of undermining the mainstream political parties in the State through administrative measures and political rhetoric.”
It is clearly stated in the passage that the BJP Government in the centre does not engage properly with the regional parties of the valley in Kashmir. It is true that such parties fail to do things properly but it is also imperative that the government takes these parties into confidence to resolve the issues in Kashmir. Among the given options we can see that Option C gives us the correct information whereas the rest can be eliminated for being irrelevant.
This makes Option C the correct choice among the given options.
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Question for Reading Comprehension Passage: 47
Try yourself:Which among the following is correct regarding the proposal given by US President Donald Trump to India regarding the Kashmir issue?
Explanation
Refer to, “New Delhi quite rightly rebuffed U.S. President Donald Trump who, evidently in search of an arena for peacemaking after failing to make headway with North Korea, offered to mediate.”
It is stated in the passage that the US President offered to mediate between India and Pakistan in the Kashmir issue. The Indian government has rejected the same and the author thinks that it is right. Among the given options we can see that Option B provides us the correct information and the others are quite irrelevant in the context of the passage.
This makes Option B the correct choice among the given options.
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Question for Reading Comprehension Passage: 47
Try yourself:Which among the following can be said regarding the special state status of Jammu and Kashmir and the stand of the central government on this?
Explanation
Refer to, “This government has been unequivocal and outspoken about its intentions to push forward with annulling the special status that Jammu and Kashmir is accorded in the Constitution through Articles 370 and 35A.”
It is stated in the passage that the central government wants to do away with the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir by amending the constitution of India. It has also been very clear that all such articles in the constitution will also be done away with at the earliest. Among the given options, we can see that Option C gives us the correct mentality of the government regarding the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. Other options do not follow from the passage and hence they can be ruled out from consideration.
This makes Option C the correct choice among the given options.
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Question for Reading Comprehension Passage: 47
Try yourself:Which among the following is the opinion of the author regarding the solution to the issues in Kashmir Valley?
Explanation
Refer to, “True, the governance track record of the People’s Democratic Party and the National Conference falls far short of inspiring; nevertheless, these parties have been integral to the ways in which New Delhi engaged with the Valley. Pakistan may be puppeteering the separatist Hurriyat, but New Delhi will have to engage with all stakeholders in resolving the conflict in the Valley.”
It is stated in the passage that the government should make sure that all the political parties in the Kashmir valley including the separatists should be taken into confidence and then only some solution can be reached regarding the issue in Kashmir. Among the given options we can see that Option A provides the correct information whereas the rest can be eliminated since they do not follow from the passage.
This makes Option A the correct choice among the given options.
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Question for Reading Comprehension Passage: 47
Try yourself:Which among the following is correct regarding the reason the J & K government has suspended the Amarnath Yatra?
Explanation
Refer to, “Hence, it is imperative to accept the State government’s position that the decision on curtailment of the yatra season was taken “keeping in view the latest intelligence inputs of terror threats, with specific targeting of the Amarnath Yatra, and given the prevailing security situation in the Kashmir Valley”.
It is stated in the passage that the pilgrims during the Amarnath Yatra are going to be attacked during the pilgrimage and there are intelligence reports regarding this. That is why the state government was compelled to cancel the Yatra this year. Among the given options, we can see that Option B gives us the correct reason whereas the rest can be eliminated as they do not follow from the given passage.
This makes Option B the correct choice among the given options.
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