Modi govt brought drastic changes in J&K, says HM Shah on Article 370

‘Roots of terrorism have grown deep, but govt committed to eradicate it completely’

Jammu: Asserting that Jammu and Kashmir is touching new heights, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government brought drastic changes on 5 August 2019, which enabled massive investment and strengthen grass root democracy.
“J&K has seen a drastic change over the past few years,” Shah said when asked whether Jammu and Kashmir was his biggest achievement during his term as the home minister and whether India has given a statement to the world through its actions there.
“This is not a personal achievement. I am a member of the Cabinet and the achievement is of the Modi Cabinet and the government. But yes, in Jammu and Kashmir, the Modi government has brought in a drastic change. It used to be said that J&K is with India due to Article 370. Now Article 370 and 35A are not there but J&K is still a part of India,” he added.
He further informed that around 30,000 panches and sarpanches are leading the democracy movement there, Rs 56,000 crore worth of investment has come in, 80 lakh tourists have visited the UT – the highest number since Independence.
“J&K’s native languages have been recognised as state languages; Dalits and other backward classes have got reservation benefits for the first time, every house now has electricity and water connections. J&K is achieving new heights. Since the 1990s, terrorism has been at its lowest and no stone-pelting incidents are taking place anymore. J&K is thriving now,” he said.
On the issue of the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley, Shah said it's a relative question and the targeting of civilians and Hindus has drastically come down in the Valley. “We have targeted the roots of terrorism and it will take some time to completely uproot terrorism there,” he said.
On the issue of the Uniform Civil Code, Amit Shah said it has been the BJP's promise. The Constituent Assembly had also advised the state legislatures and Parliament to implement UCC whenever the time is right. Laws should not be formulated on the basis of religion.
“Except for BJP, no other party supports or speaks in favour of the UCC. The BJP, which rules in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Gujarat, we have set up a panel and the panel is holding consultations. Our governments will work according to the recommendations received. I want to assure the audience here that the BJP is committed to implementing the Uniform Civil Code,” the minister said.
Responding to a related question, he said the abrogation of Article 370 and the implementation of UCC cannot be compared. If by 2024, it is possible that some states themselves might implement UCC. But if it doesn't happen by then, in 2024, when we will return to power and then we will implement it, he stated with confidence.
Updated On 11/25/2022 10:53:39 AM