Article 370 repeal benefitted J&K people: Anurag Thakur

Jammu, Mar 30: Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Youth Affairs & Sports Anurag Thakur Saturday stated that abrogation of Article 370, which became possible only due to strong and visionary leadership of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, benefitted J&K.

He asserted terrorism was on decline and there was discernible improvement in the law and order situation in J&K as there was a robust and stable government at the Centre.

While speaking to the media after addressing a public rally here, Thakur said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has special affection for J&K. This found reflection in the abrogation of Article 370 and 35-A. It led to the end of separatism and culture of stone-pelting besides decline of terrorism. These are the biggest achievements of the BJP government as they have benefitted J&K which has witnessed a decline of seventy-five percent in terrorism related incidents. The killings of civilians too have registered a drop of eighty-one percent. Similarly, there is a fifty percent decline in the number of security personnel killed in action.”

“This all happened when a strong leadership took over the reins at the Centre,” he said.

Thakur was here to accompany BJP candidate Jugal Kishore Sharma, who filed his nomination papers this afternoon from Jammu parliamentary constituency. Before filing nomination, Jugal also demonstrated a show of strength through a road show from Indira Chowk to DC office.

Besides Thakur, senior BJP leaders including J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina, Seh-Prabhari Ashish Sood also accompanied Jugal and after the latter filed his nomination papers, they addressed a public rally at Jammu.

“Given BJP government’s revolutionary steps, J&K is witnessing a new trajectory of development. This government did not silently bear scars of Pak-sponsored terrorism but conducted surgical strikes across the border to pay back,” Thakur said, while enlisting achievements of the government, including railway, highway projects and setting up of AIIMS, IIT, IIM etc in J&K.

“This will scale up employment generation. Under PM Modi’s visionary leadership, India became the fifth largest economy and made incredible achievements while serving the nation and all deprived sections of society with their inclusive development. We have laid a strong foundation and this development journey will not stop,” he said, while drawing parallels with previous Congress regimes, which he alleged, were marked by big scams.

Thakur, while addressing the public rally, said that the BJP had a history of agitations and sacrifices in Jammu and Kashmir for the cause of the nation. “It was the tricolour which was disrespected in our own country here but under the Modi government, Tiranga has received true honour and respect in Lal Chowk and other areas of Kashmir. During the last ten years under the Modi government, all has changed with the bold and historic decisions taken by the union government. There are no bandh calls and with restoration of peace and normalcy, a record number of tourists visited Kashmir last year. The Formula car race and the G20 Summit have been organized here,” he said.

“While the people are feeling safe and comfortable to carry on day-to-day activities, the UT has also witnessed massive development and received numerous welfare schemes, which have changed the lives of poor, needy, women, farmers, youth and other sections of the society,” he said.

Making a fervent appeal to vote for BJP candidate in the upcoming elections of Lok Sabha, Thakur said that Jugal Kishore had been strongly raising the issues related to Jammu and Kashmir in the Lok Sabha. “A vote to Jugal Kishore would mean contributing in ensuring the formation of the BJP government under Narendra Modi as PM for the third term,” he said.

Ravinder Raina claimed, “It is the BJP which has always expressed its deep concern for the sufferings of the people. The Modi government did a lot to provide relief to the neglected, discriminated citizens.” He asked the people not to get misled by the false promises of Congress as it always “befooled them for vote bank politics.”

Jugal Kishore, sitting MP and candidate for Jammu-Reasi Parliamentary constituency, said that the Modi government presented the true model of development in Jammu and Kashmir. “Today J&K has got a facelift, which is indeed a big achievement of the union government. The Modi government has also extended the benefits of various welfare schemes to all the sections of the society,” he said and assured to keep working with dedication for the progress and prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir.

Ashish Sood said, “The nation had to face scams and corruption from 2004 to 2014 under the Congress government. However, the BJP-led NDA government, from 2014 to 2024, gave good governance leaving no space for scams, corruption and nepotism. It flooded the discriminated state of Jammu and Kashmir with a large number of prestigious health and educational institutions, granted citizenship rights to the West Pakistan refugees and worked for political empowerment of Valmiki Samaj, the STs.” He said that a vote for BJP would mean a stamp for continuation of development and social welfare under the PM for a third consecutive term.