Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Mar 7: Visiting Kashmir for the first time since the abrogation of Article 370 some five years ago, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday accused the Congress and its alliance parties of “fooling” the people of the state all these years and said now that the people of Kashmir were “free from the shackles,” the state was achieving new heights of development.
Pledging to “keep winning hearts of Kashmiris,” Mr Modi claimed that the locals were “breathing free” in “new Kashmir” and credited it to abrogation of Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir but had benefitted only a few political families in the state.
Addressing a public rally at the jam-packed Bakshi stadium in Srinagar, Mr Modi highlighted the Centre’s development efforts in J&K over the last five years and accused the Congress and its allies, without naming National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of “misleading” the people of Jammu and Kashmir over the benefits of the Article 370 for them.
“Kashmir is touching new heights of progress and prosperity after the abrogation of Article 370. Locals are able to breathe free. This ‘azadi’ has come after Article 370’s removal. For decades, the Congress and its allies misled the people of J&K as well the country about Article 370,” PM Modi said.
He said over one lakh people joined this function and “this is a new Kashmir we all were waiting for decades.” “This is the new Kashmir for which Shyama Prasad Mukherjee sacrificed his life. Your smiling faces are watched in the country right now and will bring satisfaction to all the countrymen,” he added. The PM said he considered Kashmir as his ‘parivaar’ (family). “’Parivaar’ is always in our hearts and minds. They also consider themselves as parivaar.”
Stating that Article 370 only benefited a few politicians and their families, Mr Modi said, “Kashmir bore the brunt of dynasty politics since Independence. People now know the truth and they can no more be fooled. Kashmir sees a new bright beginning in front of them with equal opportunity. They have equal dignity and rights. Locals benefit from all the laws and pro-poor schemes started by the Centre simultaneously, unlike the past,” Mr Modi said.
“Jammu and Kashmir is breathing freely today, and hence achieving new heights,” the PM said, adding that his government’s decision to include Paharis among groups being included under Scheduled Tribes in J&K would benefit the communities.
“Refugees from Pakistan, the Valmiki community and sanitation workers getting voting rights, fulfilling the demand of the Valmiki community for SC category, reservation of seats in the Assembly for Scheduled Tribes, Paddari tribe, and the inclusion of Paddari tribe, Pahari ethnic group, Gadda Brahmin and Koli communities in the Scheduled Tribes” were among the decision he highlighted.
The Prime Minister also said dynastic politics in J&K had deprived the right to reservation to Other Backward Classes in panchayats and Urban Local Bodies as provided by the government. “Today, every class is being returned its rights,” PM Modi said.
Without naming any regional political parties in his speech, the PM said dynastic politics and corruption have gone hand in hand in J&K for a very long time, and the “decimation” of J&K Bank was a result of that practice. “They appointed their friends and relatives to the bank and had left the bank struggling,” he said. “The mismanagement resulted in losses and the poor man’s money would have drowned. The anti-corruption bureau is taking action in such recruitment. Our government reformed the bank and its profit has touched ₹1,700 crore,” Mr Modi said.
In a bid to strike a chord, PM Modi wished the locals as well as the rest of the country on the upcoming Ramzan and Maha Shivratri. “I am elated by your love and affection. I am indebted to you. Since 2014, I have come here to win your hearts. I think I am going on the right path. I have won your hearts. My efforts will continue to win your hearts. This is Modi’s guarantee,” the PM said.
Addressing the crowd which largely consisted of government employees, Mr Modi said he was “elated and indebted” for the love he received in Srinagar, and that he would “not leave any stone unturned to return the debt of this love.” According to the Union Territory’s administration, around one lakh people joined the PM’s address online in various districts of the Valley. “This naya Jammu Kashmir is the one that we had been waiting for, for decades”, the PM said.
Mr Modi interacted with local entrepreneurs and appreciated their work. “Progress of Kashmir is our priority,” he said. At the “Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir event,” he dedicated the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme worth about Rs 5,000 crore to the nation. He also launched multiple projects in the tourism sector worth more than Rs 1,400 crore under Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD scheme, including the project for ‘Integrated Development of Hazratbal Shrine’ in Srinagar. He also spoke to beneficiaries of government schemes at the venue and through video conferencing.
The Prime Minister also launched the ‘Dekho Apna Desh People’s Choice Tourist Destination Poll’ and ‘Chalo India Global Diaspora Campaign’, and announced tourist destinations selected under the Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) Scheme. He distributed appointment orders to about 1,000 new government recruits of J&K and also interacted with beneficiaries of various government schemes including women achievers, lakhpati didis, farmers, and entrepreneurs.
Stating that the power of development, potential of tourism, capabilities of farmers and leadership of the youth of J&K will pave the way for “Viksit Jammu Kashmir”, the PM recalled the time when laws implemented in the country were not implemented in J&K.
The PM also pointed to two AIIMS coming up in Kashmir as well as in Jammu. He also mentioned the seven new medical colleges, two cancer hospitals and institutes like IIT and IIM being set up in the region. Highlighting the efforts of the government for the development of the youth of J&K in every field, the Prime Minister said that new opportunities are being created, ranging from skill development to sports and mentioned the modern sports facilities being built in every district of J&K.
Launching the ‘Chalo India Global Diaspora Campaign,’ Mr Modi said, “Whether overseas Indians get dollars or pounds does not matter, but they should motivate five people to visit India. “This scheme will impact Kashmir’s tourism too. I also urge visitors to buy local and spend a 5-10% travel budget to boost the local economy, which could open new opportunities of employment here,” Mr Modi said. He also urged Indians to be part of ‘‘Wed in Kashmir’ campaign. “Indians should organise weddings in Kashmir,” he said.
The PM praised the government’s efforts and pledge that resulted in a successful G-20 meeting in Srinagar last year and a record tourist footfall. “Over two crores people visited J&K in 2023 which is a record. Even the number of foreigners visiting Kashmir has gone up. Visitors are making videos and reels, making Kashmir viral online,” he added.
He also announced ₹5,000 crore schemes for the farming sector and promised to increase cold storages and warehouses in Kashmir. “Kashmir is progressing at a fast pace. There are two AIIMS, seven medical colleges and two cancer hospitals now. Two Vande Bharat trains ply in Kashmir. Jammu and Srinagar are becoming smart cities and new projects are in offing,” he said.
The PM said the success story of Kashmir was attracting the attention world over. Ï ensure that I mention about developments of Kashmir in ‘Maan ki Baat’,” he added. Referring to ‘nadru’ (lotus stem) which is cooked in the valley, Mr Modi said there was a “historic connection of lotus with Kashmir. In fact, J&K has a deep relation with lotus as well as the BJP.”
The PM said Kashmir was emerging as a winter sports capital. “Around 1,000 athletes from the country participated in the Khelo India Winter Games. There are multi-purpose indoor halls in 17 districts in J&K,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha highlighted the developmental initiatives taken in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. “No more youth are hit by pellets or lose their sight. No innocent get killed. Youth have laptops rather than stones in their hands. The ecosystem of terrorism has been dismantled. We always said that we will not buy peace but establish peace in Kashmir,” L-G Sinha said.
Mr Sinha also highlighted the return of late night life in Kashmir. “We have pedestrian markets like Europe and the beautiful Jhelum river front under the Smart City initiative. Not only locals but tourists also visit these places. The tricolour at Lal Chowk is witness to the change in Kashmir,” he said.