In a recent development, Farooq Abdullah, the National Conference chief and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, has countered Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks on Article 370. The PM, during his first visit to Srinagar since the abrogation of Article 370, had termed the region as a “New Jammu and Kashmir” and attributed its transformation to the scrapping of the state’s special status.
PM Modi had argued that Article 370 had only fostered dynastic rule and misled the people of Jammu and Kashmir for political gains. He claimed that the removal of Article 370 has now led to the full recognition of the youth’s talent and has provided new opportunities, ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all.
However, Farooq Abdullah has challenged this narrative. He questioned, “If Article 370 was this bad, how did Jammu and Kashmir ever make progress?” He further argued that if Article 370 and family rule were indeed detrimental, then the progress made by the state, as compared to Gujarat, would not have been possible.
Abdullah also pointed out that he lost the election as chief minister because people rejected him, thereby refuting the notion of dynastic rule. He emphasized that there has been no dynastic rule in India since independence.
He also highlighted that during the existence of Article 370, education from primary schools to universities was free in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Prime Minister’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir was marked by the unveiling of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 6,400 crore, under the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir’ programme at Srinagar’s Bakshi Stadium.
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