Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a pointed critique of those who previously championed Article 370, accusing them of exploiting the provision for vote bank politics and deteriorating the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. He asserted that this exploitation deprived the region’s people of their rights and prevented the full implementation of the Indian Constitution.
“Those who idolised Article 370 and exploited it for vote bank politics had deteriorated the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, depriving its people of their rights,” Modi stated. He emphasized that while the Indian Constitution couldn’t fully reach J&K during the Article 370 era, those who flaunted the Constitution elsewhere lacked the resolve to enforce it in the region.
Modi highlighted the negative impacts of Article 370, noting that it led to incidents of stone pelting at the Army and a pervasive sense of hopelessness. He contrasted this with the current situation, stating that the abrogation of Article 370 has brought significant positive changes.
“Today, with Article 370 gone, stone pelting has ceased, democracy thrives, and people confidently participate in elections, trusting in India’s Constitution, flag, and democracy,” the Prime Minister said. He added that this newfound confidence is evident among the 1.4 billion citizens of India.
Modi’s remarks underscored the government’s stance that the abrogation of Article has paved the way for greater democratic participation and trust in the Indian Constitution in Jammu and Kashmir.