Addressing the nation, including two new Union Territories after scrapping Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, PM Modi hailed it as a historic decision.?
He said that by withdrawing the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was the dream of Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Sardar Vallabhai Patel, and crores of Indians has now been fulfilled.?
Congratulating the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and the nation the PM said, ''I congratulate people of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and the whole nation. When some things are their forever we presume they will never change or go away. Article 370 was something similar."
The Prime Minister also said that only a few benefited from Article 370 and it did not help the common people. He said that Article 370 was being used as a weapon of terror and that in the past 3 decades, over 42,000 people lost their lives.
Now that Article 370 has been removed, the PM said that the future of Jammu and Kashmir is now secure.
AFP
As the laws applicable in other parts of the country will now be enforced in Jammu and Kashmir, Modi said the people there will now be able to enjoy the benefits of them including that of reservation.?
The PM also claimed that ever since the Jammu and Kashmir came under Governor's rule, there has been good governance and development.
Hinting that Jammu and Kashmir could once again gain statehood, the PM the region won't stay a Union Territory for a long time, however, Ladakh will continue to remain one.
Recalling how Kashmir was once the favorite location of Bollywood films, the PM appealed to not only Bollywood but other regional film industries to come to Kashmir to make films.?
AFP
Acknowledging the opposition and protest against the government's decision to scrap Article 370, PM Modi urged the nation to work together for the development of Jammu and Kashmir.
Expressing confidence that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir will slowly return to normal, the PM said he will ensure that there are no troubles during Eid celebrations in the state.?