Jammu, Jul 6 (UNI) Asserting that the abrogation of Article 370 ensured true freedom for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and fulfilled the dream of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, Monday, said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, this region is emerging as one of the country’s leading regions on the path of development.
“Under PM Modi’s leadership, India is making continuous progress, and Jammu and Kashmir is also emerging as one of the leading regions on the path of development,” Nabin said while addressing the commemorative programme marking the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee here at Majestic Grand in Mishriwala on the outskirts of Jammu.
Nabin is on a maiden two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir.
“We are especially delighted that as we celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, both the Indian Tricolour and the BJP’s saffron flag are flying proudly in his birthplace, West Bengal,” he said.
Referring to the changes in Jammu and Kashmir, Nabin said there was a time when people were afraid to hoist the Tricolour at Lal Chowk in Srinagar.
“No one had the courage to do so. But after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister in 2014, Lal Chowk now proudly flies the Tricolour. That is the change that has taken place,” he said.
He said Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee had envisioned a nation with “one Constitution, one Prime Minister and one flag”, adding that Prime Minister Modi had fulfilled that vision.
“I have come to urge the youth to protect the soil of Jammu and Kashmir and fulfil the vision of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee,” he said, adding that young people should learn from him and draw inspiration from the struggles he endured throughout his life.
“If anyone worked to safeguard Bengal, it was our leader Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Otherwise, the Congress would have allowed West Bengal to become part of Bangladesh,” he alleged.
Taking a swipe at the Congress, Nabin said that had the BJP not come to power at the Centre, the youth of Jammu and Kashmir would still have been known for stone-pelting instead of bringing laurels to the region by winning the Ranji Trophy.
“Before 2014, the youth of Kashmir were often associated with stone-pelting. Today, I feel proud when they win Ranji Trophy matches and bring honour to the whole of Jammu and Kashmir. This is the vision of Prime Minister Modi, who has consistently encouraged and promoted sports,” he said.
Describing BJP workers as the party’s greatest strength, Nabin said every worker at the grassroots level was as important as those on the stage.
“A worker who serves at the booth level and works tirelessly day and night to ensure the BJP’s victory is just as important as those seated on the stage,” he said, adding that the party’s real strength lies in its dedicated workers, who selflessly strengthen the organisation at the grassroots and earn the trust of the people.
Recalling the contribution of Dr Mookerjee, Nabin said he had dedicated his life to the unity and integrity of the nation.
“To realise the dream he envisioned for Jammu and Kashmir, lakhs of BJP workers struggled for years. Today is a special day for every BJP worker and for Jammu and Kashmir. We remember his struggles, and it is the BJP that fulfilled the vision he had for Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
