Prime Minister Modi and Congress Leader Kharge Discuss Article 370 Changes in Jammu and Kashmir
New Delhi [India], August 5: Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35(A) a ‘watershed moment’ in India’s history. He said this step marked a new era of progress and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
On the fifth anniversary of the abrogation, PM Modi stated that the move brought security, dignity, and opportunities for women, youth, backward, tribal, and marginalized communities. ‘Today we mark 5 years since the Parliament of India decided to abrogate Articles 370 and 35(A), a watershed moment in our nation’s history. It was the start of a new era of progress and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh,’ he posted on X.
He added, ‘It meant that the Constitution of India was implemented in these places in letter and spirit, in line with the vision of the great men and women who made the Constitution. With abrogation came security, dignity, and opportunity for the women, youth, backwards, tribal and marginalized communities who were deprived of the fruits of development.’
PM Modi assured the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh that the BJP-led central government will continue to work for them. ‘At the same time, it has ensured that corruption, which plagued J-K for decades, has been kept at bay. I assure the people of J&K and Ladakh that our Government will keep working for them and fulfil their aspirations in the coming times,’ he wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Indian National Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the Centre on the 5th anniversary of the abrogation. He said 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 different, citing 683 fatal terror attacks since 2019, resulting in the martyrdom of 258 security personnel and the loss of 170 civilian lives. He also mentioned 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 further stated 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 per cent of government department posts in Jammu & Kashmir remain vacant since 2019, with an unemployment rate of 10 per cent and an alarming 18.3 per cent youth unemployment rate. Despite the introduction of the New Industrial Policy in 2021, only 3 per cent of investments have materialized. Additionally, 40 per cent of projects under the PM’s Development Package, 2015, remain pending. Jammu and Kashmir’s net state domestic product (NSDP) growth rate has declined from 13.28 per cent (April 2015- March 2019) to 8.73 per cent post-2019.
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
Prime Minister Modi -: Prime Minister Modi is the leader of India. He is like the head of the country and makes important decisions.
Congress Leader Kharge -: Congress Leader Kharge is a senior member of the Congress party, which is one of the main political parties in India.
Article 370 -: Article 370 was a special law that gave Jammu and Kashmir more independence than other states in India. It was removed in 2019.
Article 35(A) -: Article 35(A) was a part of the Indian Constitution that allowed Jammu and Kashmir to decide who its permanent residents were. It was also removed in 2019.
watershed moment -: A ‘watershed moment’ is a very important event that changes things in a big way. Here, it means a big change for Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir -: Jammu and Kashmir is a region in the northern part of India. It used to be a state but is now a Union Territory.
Ladakh -: Ladakh is a region in the northern part of India. It was part of Jammu and Kashmir but is now a separate Union Territory.
BJP-led government -: The BJP-led government means the government is run by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is a major political party in India.
terror attacks -: Terror attacks are violent acts meant to scare people. They are usually done by groups trying to make a political point.
unemployment rates -: Unemployment rates show how many people do not have jobs. High rates mean many people are looking for work but can’t find any.
Kashmiriyat -: Kashmiriyat is the traditional culture and way of life of the people in Kashmir. It includes their customs, language, and values.
Jamhuriyat -: Jamhuriyat means democracy or the rule of the people. It is about having a government that represents the people’s wishes.
Centre -: The Centre refers to the central government of India, which makes decisions for the whole country.
Union Territories -: Union Territories are regions in India that are directly controlled by the central government, unlike states which have their own governments.