• Says “Infra, education, healthcare, empowerment revolutionised past seven years”
• “August 5 decision a tribute Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s vision”
• “Centre committed to continued development of J&K, Ladakh”
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35(A) seven years ago marked a “decisive new chapter” in the history of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, asserting that the constitutional changes had accelerated development, expanded opportunities and ensured equal rights for all sections of society.
Marking the seventh anniversary of the August 5, 2019 decision, the Prime Minister said the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have witnessed wide-ranging transformation across sectors, including infrastructure, education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and sports.
In a message posted on X, PM Modi described the repeal of Articles 370 and 35(A) as a defining milestone in India’s journey towards inclusive development and reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to ensuring that every citizen of the two Union Territories has the opportunity to fulfil their aspirations and contribute to the vision of a Viksit Bharat.
“Seven years ago, on this day, Articles 370 and 35(A) became history, marking a decisive new chapter in the journey of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh,” the Prime Minister said.
He said the constitutional changes had enabled the full application of the Constitution of India in the region, extending rights that were earlier unavailable to several sections of society.
“Since then, the lives of the people of J&K and Ladakh have witnessed wide-ranging transformation. Infrastructure has expanded, opportunities in education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and sports have grown. Women and members of marginalised communities, who were denied several constitutional rights for decades, have now been empowered through the full application of the Constitution of India,” PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister noted that this year’s anniversary carried added significance as the country is commemorating the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, whose vision of complete constitutional integration, he said, was realised through the August 5, 2019 decision.
“His lifelong commitment to national unity continues to inspire generations. What he envisioned decades ago found historic fulfilment on 5th August 2019,” PM Modi said.
Reiterating the Centre’s commitment to the continued progress of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, the Prime Minister said the government’s focus remains on creating opportunities for every citizen to dream big, achieve their goals and participate in India’s growth story.
“We reaffirm our commitment to the progress of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh and to ensure that every citizen has the opportunity to dream big, achieve and contribute to the making of a Viksit Bharat,” he said.
PIB
