Srinagar, Jan 2: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that Modi government uprooted terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir as article 370 sowed seeds of Separatism.
Speaking at the launch Cermony of book “Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh: Through the Ages” at New Delhi, Shah said that the abrogation of Article 370 ended terrorism and its ecosystem in Kashmir, ensuring full integration with India.
He said that Article 370 sowed the seeds of separatism in the minds of the youth in Kashmir, which eventually escalated into terrorism. “Over 40,000 lives were lost due to terrorism, which Article 370 perpetuated by creating a false impression that Kashmir’s integration with India was temporary.”
He said the Narendra Modi government not only dismantled the infrastructure of terrorism but also ensured a 70 percent reduction in terror-related incidents after the Article 370 abrogation. “In 2018, there were over 2,100 incidents of stone pelting in Kashmir. By 2024, that number reduced to zero,” said.
He said that the historical Articles 370 and 35A, removed on August 5, 2019, were the biggest hurdles in Kashmir’s development and its integration into India. “These provisions delayed the J&K’s progress and left the country watching bloodshed in silence for years,” he added.
Shah said India, unlike other nations, is defined by its geo-cultural identity, and Kashmir has always been an integral part of this rich cultural framework. “From the Silk Route to Central Asia, the Shankaracharya Temple to Hemis Monastery, Kashmir’s culture has been deeply rooted in India’s trade and spirituality,” he said.
He said the narrative of terrorism being linked to Kashmir’s proximity to Pakistan is flawed. “Gujarat and Rajasthan share borders with Pakistan too, but these areas are unaffected by terrorism. The problem lies in the separatist mindset created by Article 370,” he said.
Shah also said that India is unique in its cultural unity and must be understood from an Indian perspective rather than a geo-political one. “India’s boundaries are shaped by its culture, and Kashmir has always been a significant part of this heritage,” Shah said.
He said the Modi government has proven its resolve by ending both terrorism and its ecosystem in Kashmir. “Kashmir’s youth today have new opportunities and a secure future, free from the shadow of separatism and violence,” he added.
