Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge Criticizes BJP on 5th Anniversary of Article 370 Abrogation
New Delhi, India – On the 5th anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, Indian National Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the BJP government. He stated that the BJP neither respects ‘Kashmiriyat’ nor upholds ‘Jamhuriyat’ (democracy).
In a post on X, Kharge said, “BJP’s policy on Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh neither respects ‘Kashmiriyat’ nor upholds ‘Jamhuriyat’! The Modi Govt had claimed that this move would help to fully integrate Jammu and Kashmir, boost the economic development of the region, and prevent terrorism and separatism.”
Kharge claimed that the reality is starkly different, citing 683 fatal terror attacks since 2019, resulting in the martyrdom of 258 security personnel and the loss of 170 civilian lives. He noted that 25 terror attacks have occurred in the Jammu region since PM Modi’s third oath, claiming the lives of 15 soldiers and injuring 27.
He also mentioned that targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandits have become a norm in recent years. During Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra, the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh conveyed to Rahul Gandhi that they yearn for normalcy.
Kharge highlighted that 65% of government department posts in Jammu & Kashmir remain vacant since 2019. The unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir stands at 10%, with an alarming 18.3% youth unemployment rate. Despite the introduction of the New Industrial Policy in 2021, only 3% of investments have materialized. Additionally, 40% of projects under the PM’s Development Package, 2015, remain pending. The net state domestic product (NSDP) growth rate has declined from 13.28% (April 2015-March 2019) to 8.73% post-2019.
Kharge demanded that elections in Jammu and Kashmir be held according to the Supreme Court’s set deadline so that people can elect their representatives, secure Constitutional rights, and end the mechanism of being ‘ruled by bureaucracy’. He affirmed that the Indian National Congress stands firmly with the people of these regions, which are an integral part of India.
In August 2019, the Centre revoked Article 370, which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the region into two Union Territories- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Doubts Revealed
Congress Chief -: The Congress Chief is the leader of the Indian National Congress, a major political party in India. Currently, Mallikarjun Kharge holds this position.
Mallikarjun Kharge -: Mallikarjun Kharge is an Indian politician and the current president of the Indian National Congress party.
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party, which is another major political party in India. It is currently the ruling party in the country.
Article 370 -: Article 370 was a part of the Indian Constitution that gave special status to the region of Jammu and Kashmir. It was removed in 2019.
Abrogation -: Abrogation means the official ending or cancellation of a law or agreement. In this context, it refers to the removal of Article 370.
Kashmiriyat -: Kashmiriyat is a term that represents the cultural and social harmony among different communities in Kashmir.
Jamhuriyat -: Jamhuriyat means democracy or the rule of the people. It emphasizes the importance of democratic values and governance.
Supreme Court -: The Supreme Court is the highest judicial court in India. It makes important decisions on legal and constitutional matters.
Jammu and Kashmir -: Jammu and Kashmir is a region in northern India. It used to be a state but is now a Union Territory after the abrogation of Article 370.
Ladakh -: Ladakh is a region in northern India that was part of Jammu and Kashmir but became a separate Union Territory in 2019.
