New Delhi, Aug 05: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi vindicated Syama Prasad Mukherjee’s commitment by abrogating Article 370 and completed Jawaharlal Nehru’s unfinished task.
On the 5th anniversary of the Article 370 removal, Dr Singh recalled Nehru’s remark about Article 370 being a temporary provision that would “vanish in course of time”. He criticised successive governments for allowing it to persist for vested interests.
The union minister termed Article 370 as a “miscarriage of constitution, democracy, and justice”, saying the people of Jammu and Kashmir endured its consequences under the guise of special status. He accused previous governments of exploiting Article 370, citing the extension of the J&K Assembly’s term during the Emergency while ignoring subsequent legislative changes.
Dr Jitendra said the abrogation of Article 370 brought citizenship rights to a vast population in J&K and led to significant transformations in democracy, governance, development, and security over the last five years. “The high voter turnout in recent elections and the implementation of the Panchayat Act amendments indicated a positive shift towards democratic decentralization,” he said .
Dr Singh also addressed the socio-economic impact, stating that the aspirations of J&K’s youth have been rekindled, with notable performances in civil services, sports, and higher education. He criticised the previous neglect of infrastructure projects, citing the world’s tallest rail bridge over the Chenab River and the operationalization of stalled hydro power projects.
Highlighting the “Purple Revolution” of lavender cultivation from Bhaderwah, Dr Jitendra noted its national recognition and influence on other Himalayan states. He concluded by asserting that Congress should thank PM Modi for completing Nehru’s task, reinforcing the temporary nature of Article 370 as originally envisioned.
