Following Operation Sindoor, during the “Pak Benakaab” mission led by Sanjay Jha in Indonesia, senior Congress leader and former Foreign Minister, Salman Khurshid, said, “Abolishing Article 370 from Kashmir was the right move by the Modi government.” He further stated that “removal of Article 370 has brought democratic progress and economic prosperity to Kashmir.”
Abrogation of Article 370 on August 05, 2019 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a historic and bold decision that affirms the unity of the country and is proving to be a milestone in the development of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to ancient beliefs, Kashmir is the land of Maharshi Kashyap and Mata Sati. During the reign of Emperor Ashoka and the Kushan dynasty, Buddhism had a significant influence in Kashmir. Under the rule of Emperor Lalitaditya, Kashmir expanded and the Sanskrit language received great honour. The Shankaracharya temple near Srinagar still commemorates the spiritual victory (digvijaya) of Jagadguru Shankaracharya. Over time, due to conversions by Muslim invaders, the Muslim population in Kashmir increased.
At the time of independence, like other princely states, the Maharaja of Kashmir, Hari Singh, merged the state of Kashmir with Bharat by signing the Instrument of Accession. However, under pressure from Sheikh Abdullah, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru made a shortsighted decision to enforce Article 370 in Kashmir—an action that created divisions in the unity and integrity of the country. Many leaders, including Bharat Ratna Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, opposed Nehru’s move. Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, then national president of the Bhartiya Jana Sangh, led a nationwide movement under the slogan “Ek Desh mein Do Vidhaan, Do Pradhaan, Do Nishaan nahin Chalenge.” Under this situation, Dr. Mukherjee sacrificed his life under mysterious circumstances in June 23, 1953. Since then, the Bhartiya Jana Sangh—and later the Bhartiya Janta Party—had the declared commitment of abrogating Article 370, which was fulfilled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his second term on August 05, 2019.
Following the abrogation of Article 370, due to the implementation of central government schemes dedicated to social and economic justice, the people of Kashmir—who had been previously excluded—began to benefit as well. Now, all Bhartiya citizens can purchase land in Kashmir. This has led to the registration of 500 properties and approximately Rs 3.5 thousand crore of real estate investment flowing into Kashmir.
The removal of the rule that deprived Kashmiri women of inheritance rights when they married outside Kashmir is a decisive step towards women’s empowerment. Additionally, 150,000 families displaced from Pakistan—including Valmiki, Scheduled Caste, and Scheduled Tribe refugees—have now gained full citizenship rights. Moreover, 35 Lakh people have received domicile certificates.
Due to the implementation of education-related laws, over 10 Lakh children have received free education. Economically Deprived sections, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes are now eligible for reservations. Inclusion of new castes in the Other Backward Classes category and increasing quotas has proved to be a pivotal measure in uplifting disadvantaged communities.
Due to industrial development, an investment of ₹56,000 crore has been made, providing employment to approximately 80,000 people. Over 1,200 startups are now contributing to growth and job creation. Handicraft products made by artisans are finding new markets. Following the abrogation of Article 370, work took place to repair and construct 10,000 km of roads. The Zoji La and Chenani–Nashri (Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Tunnel) tunnels have shortened travel distances. The four-lane highway from Jammu to Srinagar is setting new standards in development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the much awaited bridge over the Chenab River, an engineering marvel and the tallest in the world—standing 359 meters above the river level, taller than Paris’s Eiffel Tower—with praise even from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, more than 13 Lakh people have received medical treatment. Formula car racing is now taking place in Kashmir. Jammu Kashmir’s Palli village has become Bharat’s first “carbon neutral panchayat.”
Post- Article 370, peace returned to Kashmir, leading to a significant increase in tourism. According to official statistics, tourist numbers rose by 50% since 2019, reaching a total of approximately 2.5 crore tourists across the entire region .
Due to the policy of zero tolerance toward terrorism, terrorist incidents have consistently declined. The Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah, stated in Parliament that terrorist incidents have decreased by 92%. There has also been a steady decline in new terrorist recruitments. The number of pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi and Amarnath shrines continues to rise.
The 65 per cent voter turnout in the three-tier panchayat elections held after the abrogation of Article 370 is testimony to Kashmir’s prosperity—where 32,000 elected representatives are actively contributing to the development of their village panchayats. Additionally, the Sharda Mata Temple established by Jagadguru Shankaracharya hosted Diwali and Saraswati pujan ceremonies—events that had not taken place there in 70 years. The Honourable Home Minister, Amit Shah, officially reopened the temple on March 23, 2023. Regular worship has also resumed at the Kheer Bhawani Temple.
To hoist the national flag at Lal Chowk – the historic site in Srinagar , the then BJP National President Shri Murli Manohar Joshi had to organise the “Bharat Ekta Yatra” from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. This pledge was fulfilled when the Tirangaa was hoisted under police protection on January 26, 1992. Alongside Dr. Joshi, the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a key associate in this resolve.
Today, following the abrogation of Article 370, the national flag once again proudly flies at Lal Chowk. And not just at Lal Chowk—Kashmiris are celebrating national pride by hoisting the Tirangaa at their homes as well. The celebration of Krishna Janmashtami, held in remembrance of Lord Krishna’s birth, was also joyously celebrated at Lal Chowk.
As a result of the abrogation of Article 370, Jammu & Kashmir is now scripting a saga of “Virasat se Vikas” under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Citizens in Pakistan administered Kashmir, impressed by Kashmir’s development journey, are eager to join hands with Bharat.
Terrorist incidents like the one in Pahalgam are malicious attempts to derail this journey of development . Bhartiya society, responding to such conspiracies, will once again stand with renewed pride—upholding the spirit of national unity and integrity. Over the past 11 years, the efforts led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi have successfully instilled this sentiment in every Bhartiya.
(Shivprakash is the National Jt. General Secretary (Org.) of the Bhartiya Janta Party)
Comments