Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, asserting that the constitutional provisions are now history and have initiated a "decisive new chapter" for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The Prime Minister highlighted the significant strides in Jammu and Kashmir development and Ladakh's progress over the past seven years.
On August 5, 2019, the BJP-led Centre revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, subsequently bifurcating the erstwhile state into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. This move, according to PM Modi, has led to a wide-ranging transformation in the lives of the people.
Transformation and Expanded Opportunities
Modi stated that the region has witnessed substantial changes, with infrastructure expanding and opportunities growing across various sectors. These include:
- Education: Enhanced access and improved facilities for learning.
- Healthcare: Better medical infrastructure and services for residents.
- Entrepreneurship: New avenues and support for local businesses and startups.
- Sports: Increased opportunities and development in athletic activities.
The Prime Minister also emphasized the empowerment of women and marginalized communities, who, he noted, had been denied constitutional rights for decades. He affirmed that the full application of the Constitution of India has brought them into the mainstream.
This year's anniversary holds additional significance as India commemorates the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Modi remarked that Mookerjee's lifelong commitment to national unity continues to inspire generations, and his vision found historic fulfillment on August 5, 2019.
The government, Modi reiterated, remains committed to the comprehensive development of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, aiming to ensure every citizen has the chance to "dream big, achieve and contribute to the making of a Viksit Bharat" (Developed India).
Opposition Reacts to Abrogation Anniversary
While the Prime Minister lauded the progress, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reiterated his opposition to the Centre's 2019 decision. Abdullah stated that the ruling National Conference has neither accepted nor reconciled with the "current circumstances."
"Seven years, we haven't forgotten, and we haven't reconciled, far less accepted our current circumstances," Abdullah wrote on X. "My party and I remain committed to reversing all that was done to J-K that took away our rights and threatens our identity."
Abdullah concluded his message with a poignant line from Robert Frost's poem, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening": "The woods are lovely, dark & deep. But I have promises to keep. And miles to go before I sleep....."
To mark the anniversary, National Conference leaders and workers also held a protest in Srinagar, demanding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's special status. The protest, led by minister Sakina Itoo, saw scores of party members assemble at the party headquarters before attempting a march.