In an interview with India Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated the significance of the recent Supreme Court decision upholding the abrogation of Article 370. PM Modi highlighted that despite Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s assurance that “ghiste ghiste ghis jaayega” (it would disappear one day), the people of Jammu and Kashmir were deprived of their rights for seven decades.
PM Modi commended the abrogation, stating that residents of J&K and Ladakh now have the freedom to shape their destinies. He emphasized the positive impact, citing a decline in terrorism and a surge in tourism. The Supreme Court’s decision on December 11, 2023, upheld the government’s 2019 move to repeal Article 370 and 35A, leading to the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories.
Regarding elections in Jammu and Kashmir, PM Modi noted that the union territory is already represented in Parliament, with a three-tier panchayati raj system established and 35,000 leaders elected. He highlighted the progress in various fields, particularly the emergence of women in different sectors and the opening of new industries.
The interview covered a range of topics, providing insights into the government’s stance on Article 370, the impact on the region, and the strides made in J&K post the abrogation.
