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Home Minister Amit Shah, during his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, has categorically ruled out the restoration of Article 370, the provision that previously granted special status to the erstwhile state. In a strong statement during the unveiling of the BJP's manifesto for the upcoming Assembly elections, Shah declared that Article 370 is now “history” and will never be reinstated. This statement directly contradicts the stance of the National Conference, which is contesting the elections in alliance with the Congress, and has promised the restoration of Article 370 in its manifesto.
The upcoming Assembly polls, the first since 2014, are being closely watched to gauge public sentiment in Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. This sentiment will also shed light on the public's perspective on the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, including Ladakh, in 2019. The government has assured that J&K will be granted statehood soon.
Shah highlighted the BJP's commitment to Jammu and Kashmir since Independence and asserted that the party has consistently worked to ensure its integration with India. He contrasted this with the periods before 2014, characterized by “the shadow of separatism and terrorism,” and policies of appeasement. He attributed the period between 2014 and 2024 to a “golden era” for J&K, marked by significant progress.
Shah further criticized the past practices of bowing to separatist demands and organizations like the Hurriyat, citing the influence of Article 370. He emphasized that both Article 370 and 35A, which granted the J&K legislature the right to define permanent residents and confer special privileges, are now part of the past and have been removed from the Constitution. The removal of Article 370, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 5, 2019, is seen as a turning point, with Shah claiming it has spurred development in the state.
Shah directly addressed the National Conference's manifesto and acknowledged the Congress's “silent support” for it. However, he unequivocally stated that Article 370 is history and will never be brought back. He connected the removal of Article 370 to a shift towards development, arguing that it prevented the youth from being pushed towards violence and separatism.
The BJP's manifesto for Jammu and Kashmir, as outlined by Shah, aims for a “peaceful, safe, developed, and prosperous” J&K. The three-phase elections will be held between September 18 and October 1, with counting scheduled for October 8. The results of these elections will have significant implications for the future of Jammu and Kashmir and its political landscape.
Source: "Article 370 Is History, Will Never Come Back": Amit Shah In J&K