PM Narendra Modi Flays Congress Over Article 370 in Independence Day Speech, Asks 'Why Didn't You Make It Permanent If It Was So Important?'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day speech, flayed the Congress party over its opposition to revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
New Delhi, August 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day speech, flayed the Congress party over its opposition to revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Thursday, PM Narendra Modi asked why the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was not made "permanent if it was so important".
"In the political alleys of India, some kept opposing the revocation of Article 370 and Article 35A. If this was so important, why did you not make it permanent in the last 70 years," PM Modi said, adding the fact that the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 was passed in both houses of Parliament with a two-third majority that indicated that people were in favour of it. PM Narendra Modi Independence Day 2019 Address From Red Fort: Here Are Highlights of His August 15 Speech.
PM Modi said that both the articles had over the past 70 years fanned separatism and terrorism in the state and nurtured dynasties, "so that corruption and divisions were created" in the state and common people deprived of the benefits of central laws. He added that within 10 weeks of assuming power, his government has taken key decisions such as triple talaq bill and scrapping provisions of Article 370. PM Narendra Modi 'Must End Lockdown' in Jammu & Kashmir Immediately: Amnesty International.
PM Narendra Modi Flays Congress Over Article 370:
PM Modi said previous governments made efforts in the past 70 years to deal with Kashmir, but it did not yield results. "In this short span of time, we have taken important steps in every sector. Article 370 and 35A being revoked from Jammu and Kashmir is a step towards realising the dream of Sardar Patel," the prime minister said.
"From the Red Fort, I can say with pride that every Indian can say 'One Nation, One Constitution'," he added. President Ram Nath Kovind last week signed an order ending the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370, a day after Parliament passed the resolution, along with a bill to bifurcate the state into two Union Territories - Jammu and Kashmir with a legislature and Ladakh without a legislature.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 15, 2019 05:04 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).