Modi in Srinagar: PM Says Article 370 Move Allowed Jammu And Kashmir To Show Its Abilities

Jammu and Kashmir is the crown of India and its development is the government’s top priority, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday while addressing a public rally in Srinagar’s Bakshi Stadium during his first visit to the region after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.

The Prime Minister began his address by saying mai yaha dil jeetne aya hun (he was in Srinagar to win people’s hearts). He said the abrogation of Article 370 had allowed the young people of the region to showcase their talent and make use of central schemes to fulfill their dreams. He highlighted how he was able to launch central projects for the region for the first time.

“This freedom from restrictions has come after the removal of Article 370. For decades, for political gains, Congress and its allies misled the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the name of 370 and misled the country. J&K was kept in chains for the benefit of a few families. Today there is no 370, hence the talent of the youth of J&K is being fully respected and they are getting new opportunities. Today there are equal rights and equal opportunities for everyone here,” he said.

Slamming the previous governments of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and the Congress, he said they focused on parivarvaad (dynasty) politics and encouraged corruption. He highlighted how the Centre took several steps to revive the Jammu and Kashmir bank which had almost sunk, causing major losses to locals.

“J&K has been a huge victim of Parivarvaad and corruption. The previous governments here had left no stone unturned to destroy our J&K Bank, by filling the bank with their relatives and nephews, these Parivarvaadis have ruined the bank. Due to mismanagement, the bank had incurred so much loss that all of you were in danger of losing thousands of crores of rupees,” he said.

He explained how the government was trying to boost tourism in the area with the ‘Chalo India’ initiative, adding that 40 fresh spots had been identified which will be developed for tourists to visit. He also urged Indians across the globe to visit India.

“Now my next mission is ‘Wed in India’. People should come to J&K and host their weddings. The world has seen how G20 was organised in J&K. There was a time when people used to say, who will go to J&K for tourism? Today, tourism in J&K is breaking all the records. In 2023, more than 2 crore tourists have come here,” he added.

He said the government was working towards the development of the union territory and highlighted the achievements of the young people of the region in different sectors, including business, agriculture, and sports.

During his speech in the Kashmir valley ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the PM slammed the Opposition for its “Modi has no family” remark and said the people of Jammu and Kashmir were his family and he’d do everything to ensure prosperity of the region.

The Prime Minister ended his speech by wishing people for the upcoming Shivratri and Ramadan festivities and assuring people of tangible development.

PM Modi took part in the ‘Viksit Bharat, Viksit Jammu Kashmir’ programme and unveiled multiple development projects worth more than Rs 6,400 crore during his visit to Srinagar ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. He also distributed offer letters to new government recruits.

The Prime Minister interacted with local entrepreneurs, who apprised the PM about the help they got from the Centre during their journey.

Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha welcomed PM Modi and said, “On behalf of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, I welcome PM Modi in Srinagar. In the last 10 years, the development of Jammu and Kashmir has been PM Modi’s priority. Today, the union territory is shining with pride. For the last three decades, the valley of Kashmir was bled to death by terrorism and injustice and today the flag of peace and development is flying high here under your leadership.”

He also apologised to the people who could not find a place to sit due to overcrowding.

According to BJP sources, around 2 lakh people thronged the Bakshi Stadium to listen to PM Modi, carrying placards and cut-outs. They cheered and raised slogans.

The prime minister landed at the Srinagar airport on Thursday and then flew to Badamibagh Cantonment, the headquarters of the Army’s 15 or Chinar Corps, the officials said. They said at the Badamibagh Cantonment, PM Modi laid a wreath at the War Memorial and paid tributes to the fallen soldiers. The Prime Minister then drove to Bakshi Stadium via Gupkar and Zero Bridge in a cavalcade, they said.