• Says BJP will restore people’s rights
• Kashmiri youth no longer helpless, empowered through jobs & education
• J&K’s past marked by strikes & fear, denounces past political agendas
• Promises statehood restoration, announces new welfare schemes
• KPs played a great role in communal harmony & Kashmiriyat
• Campaigning now extends until midnight in Kashmir
• High voter turnout in J&K elections marks new era of democracy
Srinagar, Sept 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, accused the Congress, National Conference (NC), and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of undermining the future of Jammu and Kashmir’s youth for political gains. He asserted that these “three families” handed stones to the youth instead of opportunities, saying, “They ruined the future of our children for their own benefit.”
Addressing his first rally for BJP candidates at Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar, Modi emphasised his commitment to restoring peace in the region. “Providing employment opportunities to the youth here is my intention and my promise,” he stated, highlighting the current stability in schools and colleges across Jammu and Kashmir. “Children now have pens, books, and laptops in their hands instead of stones,” he added.
“What are these family parties doing? They say they will bring back the old times. In the last 35 years, Kashmir was closed for 3,000 days which is eight years of bandhs. In the last five years, Kashmir has not closed even for eight hours,” he asked.
Modi criticised the historical political landscape, questioning, “Do you want to bring back those old days? Do you want strikes and bloodshed again? Do you want our daughters and OBCs to lose their rights? They want cinema halls closed, they want trade to suffer losses, they want wrongdoings in recruitment,” he said, adding that they want to provide employment opportunities.
He contrasted the previous years marked by unrest with the recent period of relative peace, noting that Kashmir has not experienced closures for long durations.
The Prime Minister accused the three parties of instilling “fear and anarchy,” claiming their agenda deprived the people of their legitimate rights. “Now Jammu and Kashmir will no longer be under the grip of these three families,” he said, asserting that the youth are rising to challenge the established political order.
“We no longer hear reports of schools being burnt instead, we hear about the construction of new schools, new colleges, AIIMS, medical colleges, and IITs,” he said, adding “for their own benefit, these families destroyed the future of our youth”.
PM Modi said that youth are now rising up to challenge them. The same youth they held back from progressing are now standing against them. The suffering endured by the youth during the rule of these families often remains untold,” he added.
“Do you remember what they did in the 1980s? They treated Jammu and Kashmir’s politics as their own fiefdom. They did not want anyone except their families to come forward? Otherwise, why did they stop the Panchayat, DDC and BDC elections?”, he questioned.
PM Modi said that they knew it would bring new faces who would challenge their family rule. What was the damage as a result of their selfishness? The youth kept losing faith in democracy. They felt whether they vote or not, only these three families will come to power,” he said.
He also blamed the three parties for “injustices” done to the minorities, including Kashmiri Pandits and Sikhs, in the valley.
Reflecting on past injustices, Modi stated, “Kashmiri Pandits have played a great role in communal harmony and Kashmiriyat. But, three families have ruined them.” He argued that the political dynamics had caused the youth to lose faith in democracy, creating an environment where only established families held power.
“Remember the conditions in which elections were held earlier. The campaigns would stop by 6 pm. Door-to-door campaigns were impossible. The Congress, NC and PDP – these three families were happy with it. These people used to make merry by snatching your rights,” he said.
The Prime Minister said today, election campaigns run late into the night, and the people are celebrating democracy. “The youth have regained confidence in the democratic process, realising that their vote, their democratic right, can bring about real change. This renewed hope is the first step toward empowerment,” he said.
In a direct appeal to the electorate, Modi stated, “The youth of Jammu and Kashmir are no longer helpless. Under our government, they are becoming empowered.” He outlined several welfare initiatives contingent on BJP victory, including the restoration of statehood, financial assistance for farmers and women, and increased health insurance coverage.
Meanwhile, the prime minister made a slew of announcements for the welfare of Jammu and Kashmir if the BJP was voted to power. These included the restoration of statehood, Rs 10,000 annual assistance to farmers, Rs 18,000 annual assistance to the woman head of every family, and enhancing the health insurance from the existing Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7 lakh.
“We have promised in Parliament that we will restore J-K’s statehood. The BJP will fulfil this commitment. The goal of his government is the fast progress and speedy development of Jammu and Kashmir”.
“I have come here with the message of this sentiment. I can see today Kashmiri brothers are saying ‘khushaamdeed’ (welcome) PM, I also thank them from the bottom of my heart,” he said.
Referring to the ongoing assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Modi said it was a festival of democracy in which people have broken records in the first phase of voting that was held on Wednesday.
“On September 18, seven districts went to polls in the first phase. For the first time, voting took place without the shadow of terror. It is a matter of pride and happiness that people came out to vote in such large numbers,” he said.
PM Modi said that Kishtwar recorded more than 80 per cent (voting), Doda more than 70, Ramban 70, Kulgam more than 60. Many seats saw previous records broken. “A new history has been written by you, the people of J-K,” he said, as he appealed to the electorate going to polls in the second phase of the polls on September 25 to break all voting records.
Concluding his address, Modi expressed gratitude to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who welcomed him with enthusiasm, and emphasized the importance of democracy in the region. “Today, the world is witnessing how people in J-K are strengthening democracy in India,” he said.
Earlier, he sought to strike a bond with the audience as he began his speech in Kashmiri. “Myanen saarni kashir bayen te baenen chu myoan saetha saetha namaskar. Kyah haal chaal chu? (Greetings to all my Kashmiri brothers and sisters. How are you?)” he said, amidst applause by the people.
