PM Modi speaks of 'new era', Kashmir still under lockdown

In his first public address to the nation after the government altered the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh after the scrapping of Article 370 of the Constitution.

"I congratulate people of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and the whole nation. When some things are there forever we presume they will never change or go away. Article 370 was something similar," he said.

In his almost 40-minute speech, PM Modi strongly defended the decision to centrally command Jammu and Kashmir as he touched upon mandatory topics of separatism, terrorism and family politics.

Modi hailed his government's decision to revoke the Article as "historic" and said a new era has begun in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

"We as a nation, as a family, have taken a historic decision. A system due to which brothers & sisters of Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh were deprived of many rights & which was a big obstacle to their development, that system has been done away with"

"The dream of Sardar Patel, Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee, Atalji and of crores of patriots has been fulfilled," he said.

He outlined the government's vision on Jammu and Kashmir, and how it plans to bring about development to the now Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh.

On Article 370: Article 370 and Article 35 (A) did not give anything except separatism, corruption, terrorism and family rule. There was never any discussion as to how Article 370 was adversely affecting the people of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. And it is surprising, no one was able to really tell how the article benefited the people. Pakistan used Article 370 as a tool to spread terrorism.

On employment and opportunities: Over 1.5 crore people of J and K were being denied benefits of legislations meant for the entire country. All vacant posts in Kashmir and Ladakh will be filled soon. Each govt official in J&K will get LTC, HRA & other allowances. In different states of the country, sanitation workers come under the sanitation worker act, but workers from J&K were deprived of it. In many states strong laws are their to stop atrocities against dalits, but this was not the case in J&K.

Spelling out his government's development plans for J&K, he said state government employees including police will soon get benefits on par with employees of other Union Territories and all vacant posts in Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh will be filled, creating employment opportunities.

Kashmir under Central command: The decision to keep J&K directly under Central administration for a brief period was a well thought over decision. Since Governor rule was implemented in J&K, state admin has been directly in touch with Centre due to which the effects of good governance can be seen on ground. Projects languishing for decades being pushed forward. The central government will tackle's J&K's fiscal deficit.

Tourism industry: Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh have the potential to be the biggest tourist hub of the world. There was a time when Kashmir was the favorite destination of Bollywood film makers, I am confident that in future even international films will be shot there.

Elections: You will be shocked, in J&K for decades, lakhs & thousands of people had right to vote in Lok Sabha polls but neither they could vote nor contest in assembly/local polls. These are those who came to India after partition in 1947. Should injustice have continued with them? Panchayat elections will do wonders to the state of Jammu and Kashmir as panchayat leaders of the state have developed the state, I testify that, and I request the governor to revive Block Development Council that has been dormant for 2 or 3 decades. Decades of dynasty rule in J&K prevented the youth from political leadership. Now my youth of J&K will lead the development work and take the state to new heights. Your representative will be elected by you and from among you.

Niche potentials of J&K and Ladakh: There are herbal plants unique to JK and Ladakh that has been wasted which is a life saving antidote to many ailments, every Indian will want access to it and also it is export worthy. Ladakh has the potential to be a solar powered state. Jammu and Kashmir will make a valuable contribution to the development of India in the coming years.

Union Territory status: As Jammu and Kashmir will see more and more development, I do not think it will remain Union Territory for long. Ladakh will remain Union Territory.

On separatism and terrorism: In last three decades, over 42,000 people lost their lives. We will rid Jammu and Kashmir of terrorism and separatism under new measures. I am confident that people of Jammu and Kashmir will defeat separatism with new energy and new hope. The youth of Jammu and Kashmir are adept in all arenas be it in technology, academics or sports and in that way they will defeat the separatists and be the beacon of development. Patriotic people of Jammu and Kashmir have stood up against Pakistan's conspiracy of terrorism and separatism 

Stern answer to Pakistan: We all share the concern of the people of JK and Ladakh, no Indian could isolate from these concerns. Jammu and Kashmir should not fall prey to handiworks of Pakistan, as Kashmiris deserve prosperity as much as any of the other Indians.

Attacking Pakistan, which has termed India's move as "unilateral and illegal" and strongly protested by downgrading diplomatic ties, Modi said Pakistan used Article 370 as a "tool to spread terrorism".

Eid wishes: I extend my heartfelt wishes to the people of Kashmiris on the occasion of Eid. People in Jammu and Kashmir will not face any difficulty in celebrating Eid. I also promise the Kashmiris who are elsewhere around India and world, wish to visit Kashmir for Eid a safe and glitch-free transportation to Kashmir.

The Prime Minister's speech came two days after the Parliament approved repealing of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution giving special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and bifurcating the region in two Union Territories -- Jammu with an Assembly and Ladakh without one.