Even as restrictions and communication blackout continue in Jammu and Kashmir on the fourth day of the Narendra Modi’s government’s decision to abrogate Article 370, the Prime Minister strongly defended the move.
In his televised address to the nation, Modi hailed his government’s decision to revoke the provision as “historic” and said a “new era” has begun in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
He also assured the people of Jammu and Kashmir that they will get an opportunity to elect their representative in a transparent way.
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Here are the highlights of his speech:
- “A new era has begun for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. I want to congratulate the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and the entire nation.”
- “We have taken a historic decision.”
- “A system due to which the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were deprived of rights has been done away with.”
- “No one has been able to justify how Article 370 and Article 35A was benefitting people of the state. These provisions did not give anything except separatism, corruption, terrorism and family rule.”
-“Pakistan used Article 370 as a tool to spread terrorism.”
-“Over 1.5 crore people of Jammu and Kashmir were being denied benefits of legislations meant for the entire country.”
-“All vacant posts in Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh will be filled, creating employment opportunities.”
-“State govt employees including police will soon get benefits on par with employees of other Union Territories.”
-“We will rid Jammu and Kashmir of terrorism and separatism under new measures.”
-“We all want Jammu and Kashmir to hold elections in the coming times, have a government and chief minister.”
-“Your representative will be elected by you and from among you. I am assuring the people of Jammu and Kashmir that you will get an opportunity to elect your representative in a transparent way.”
-“I am confident that people of Jammu and Kashmir will defeat separatism with new energy and new hope.”
-“Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have the potential to be the biggest tourist hubs in the world.”
-“Ladakh has the potential to become the biggest centre of spiritual tourism, adventure tourism and eco-tourism. Ladakh can also become a major centre of solar power generation.”
-“Decades of dynastic politics deprived youth in Jammu and Kashmir of leadership opportunities.”
-“Government will ensure that people in Jammu and Kashmir will not face any difficulty in celebrating Eid. Government will provide all possible help to the people who live outside Jammu and Kashmir and want to return home on Eid.”
“Our decision will not only help Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, but also boost the country’s economy.”
(With PTI inputs)