Yogi Adityanath Questions Rahul Gandhi on Article 370 and Separate Flag for Jammu and Kashmir
Ramgarh (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], September 27: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath asked Congress MP Rahul Gandhi if he supports the National Conference’s demand to bring back Article 370 and Article 35A, and to have a separate flag for Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking at a gathering in Ramgarh Assembly Constituency, CM Yogi said, “I want to ask Congress leader Rahul Gandhi whether he supports the National Conference’s decision to have a separate flag for Jammu and Kashmir? Does Rahul Gandhi support the National Conference’s demand to bring back Article 370 and 35A and push Jammu and Kashmir into an era of unrest and terrorism?”
CM Yogi also questioned if the Congress supports promoting separatism by talking to Pakistan at the cost of the youth of Kashmir.
Amit Shah’s Response
Union Home Minister Amit Shah responded to Rahul Gandhi, reminding him that Congress imposed president’s rule the most number of times in Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing a public meeting in Kathua, Amit Shah said, “Rahul Gandhi just gave a statement that outsiders will rule in Jammu and Kashmir. He was referring to our LG Sahab (Manoj Sinha). Rahul baba, those who write your speeches do not tell you the truth. If there is a party that has imposed Presidential rule the most number of times in Jammu and Kashmir, it is the Congress.”
Amit Shah highlighted the increased voter turnout, attributing it to the end of terrorism in the region. “Due to the end of terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a record 55 percent voting. Farooq Sahib, those days are over when one could go to the Lok Sabha by getting 8 thousand votes. Now democracy has become strong in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
PM Modi’s Efforts
The Home Minister also credited Prime Minister Modi for putting decision-making power in the hands of the people. “You have Panch-Sarpanch in your villages now. Over 40,000 people now celebrate democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. For decades, the 3 dynasties of NC, Congress, and PDP promoted nepotism. Now, due to Modi ji’s efforts, the youth of J&K takes part in the decision-making for improving conditions in the state,” he said.
Amit Shah added, “If BJP candidates Jeevan Lal and Dilip Singh win, then there will be celebrations across the country. But if Congress and NC (National Conference) candidates win, then celebrations will be held in Pakistan. Do you wish Pakistan to celebrate?”
The BJP leader vowed that they will not allow Rahul Gandhi to end reservation if Congress comes to power. “Rahul baba has said that they will end reservation when they come to power. Rahul Baba, no matter what your intention is, we will not let you end reservation,” Amit Shah added.
Upcoming Elections
The second phase of J-K assembly polls was held on September 25. The third and final phase of voting will be held on October 1, and the counting of votes will take place on October 8. Assembly elections are being held in the Union Territory nearly after a gap of ten years and are the first since the abrogation of Article 370.
Doubts Revealed
Yogi Adityanath -: Yogi Adityanath is the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, a state in India. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Rahul Gandhi -: Rahul Gandhi is a Member of Parliament (MP) in India and a leader of the Congress party. He is the son of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Article 370 -: Article 370 was a part of the Indian Constitution that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir. It was removed in 2019.
Article 35A -: Article 35A was a part of the Indian Constitution that allowed Jammu and Kashmir to define its own ‘permanent residents’ and give them special rights. It was also removed in 2019.
National Conference -: The National Conference is a political party in Jammu and Kashmir. It was founded by Sheikh Abdullah and has been a major party in the region.
Separate flag -: Jammu and Kashmir used to have its own flag in addition to the Indian national flag. This was because of its special status under Article 370, which has now been removed.
Union Home Minister -: The Union Home Minister is a senior official in the Indian government responsible for internal security and domestic policy. Amit Shah is the current Union Home Minister.
President’s rule -: President’s rule is when the central government takes control of a state if the state government is not functioning properly. It has been imposed in Jammu and Kashmir several times.
PM Modi -: PM Modi refers to Narendra Modi, the current Prime Minister of India. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
J-K assembly polls -: J-K assembly polls are elections held to choose representatives for the legislative assembly of Jammu and Kashmir. These elections are important for local governance.