Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, in an exclusive interview with News X, celebrated the fifth anniversary of Article 370’s abrogation, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for fulfilling Syama Prasad Mukherjee’s vision and completing Jawaharlal Nehru’s unfinished task. Dr. Singh noted that Nehru himself had called Article 370 temporary, anticipating its eventual dissolution.
Dr. Singh described Article 370 as a constitutional miscarriage that deprived the people of Jammu and Kashmir of true democracy and justice for seven decades under the guise of special status. He criticized past governments for exploiting Article 370 for their own gain, pointing out how the term of the J&K Assembly was extended during the Emergency but not shortened later, unlike in other states.
Dr. Singh highlighted the growing unrest in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), where residents, disillusioned by Islamabad’s false narratives, look enviously at the development in J&K. He emphasized that the abrogation of Article 370 granted citizenship rights to many who had been denied them and brought about a multifaceted transformation in the region.
Discussing the impact on democracy, Dr. Singh mentioned that refugees in J&K, including former Prime Ministers I.K. Gujral and Manmohan Singh, had been deprived of voting rights. He praised PM Modi’s firm stance against anti-India activities, noting that those once hosted by the Pakistani Embassy in New Delhi are now in Tihar Jail. The abrogation also rekindled aspirations among the youth, who now excel in civil services, sports, and higher education.
In governance, Dr. Singh recalled that democratic decentralization was stymied by the non-implementation of the 73rd and 74th Amendments in J&K. Post-2019, central funds have enabled high voter turnouts in Panchayat and Lok Sabha elections. Security has also improved, with a significant reduction in militancy, though occasional attacks persist.
Dr. Singh noted that the DoPT’s abolition of interviews for junior-level jobs in 2016 was only implemented in J&K post-Article 370 abrogation, leveling the playing field for youth from remote areas. He lauded the infrastructure development, including the world’s tallest rail bridge over the Chenab River and the operationalization of long-stalled hydro power projects, positioning Kishtwar as a future power hub.
The Minister highlighted the emergence of the “Purple Revolution” in Bhaderwah, a significant agrarian startup movement in lavender cultivation, which PM Modi endorsed in his “Mann ki Baat.” This revolution has set an example for other Himalayan states and has potential for substantial economic contribution.
Dr. Singh concluded by urging the opposition to acknowledge PM Modi’s achievement in completing Nehru’s stated goal of removing Article 370.
