New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday asserted that the dream of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, B.R. Ambedkar, Syama Prasad Mookerjee and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajapyee has been fulfilled by abrogating the Constitution’s Article 370, giving special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
In his address to the nation, the Prime Minister said: “Like one family, one nation — we have taken a historic decision on Jammu and Kashmir. Such a system, due to which the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were deprived of many rights, which was a major obstacle in their development, have now gone away.
“The dream of Sardar Patel, Baba Ambedkar, Shyama Prasad Mookerjee and Atal Bihari Vajpayee and crores of patriots have been fulfilled.”
The Prime Minister said that the some things in society and life get so mixed with time that many times, these things are considered permanent. “It is understood that nothing will change, it will work like this. There was a similar sentiment with Article 370. There was no discussion about the loss of our people in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Surprisingly, if we talk to anyone, no one could even tell what was the benefit of Article 370 in the lives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Modi said that keeping Jammu and Kashmir under central administration for “a brief period” was a “well- thought move”.
Prime Minister’s announcement came two days after the Parliament approved repealing of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution giving special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and bifurcating the region in two Union Territories — Jammu with an Assembly and Ladakh without one.
“The decision to keep Jammu and Kashmir directly under Central administration for a brief period was a well-thought over decision. Since Governor’s rule was implemented in Jammu and Kashmir, state administration has been directly in touch with Centre due to which the effects of good governance can be seen on ground,” Modi said.
It was the Prime Minister’s first address to the nation after the historic announcement for Jammu and Kashmir.
Vacant govt posts will be filled in J&K
The Prime Minister also asserted that all vacant government posts in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh Union Territories will be filled soon.
However, Parliament Tuesday gave its nod to bifurcate the region in two Union Territories.