New Delhi, Aug 5 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35(A) seven years ago ushered in a "decisive new chapter" for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, asserting that the two union Territories have witnessed significant development, greater opportunities and constitutional empowerment since the landmark decision of August 5, 2019.
In a post on social media platform X, the Prime Minister said the scrapping of the special status provisions transformed the lives of the people by ensuring the full application of the Constitution of India and expanding opportunities across multiple sectors.
"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," Modi wrote.
Highlighting the changes witnessed in the region over the past seven years, the Prime Minister said major strides had been made in infrastructure development, while opportunities in education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and sports had expanded considerably.
"Since then, the lives of the people of J&K and Ladakh have witnessed wide-ranging transformation. Infrastructure has expanded, opportunities in areas such as education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and sports have grown," he said.
Modi also underlined that the extension of all constitutional provisions to the region had empowered women and marginalised communities who had been deprived of several constitutional rights for decades.
"Be it the women or the marginalised communities, those who were denied their basic constitutional rights for decades have been empowered thanks to the full application of the Constitution of India," he said.
The Prime Minister said this year's anniversary held added importance as India is observing the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, recalling his advocacy for the complete integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country.
"5th August this year assumes even greater significance as this is the year our nation commemorates the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee. His lifelong commitment to national unity continues to inspire generations. What he envisioned decades ago found historic fulfilment on 5th August 2019," Modi said.
Reaffirming the Centre's commitment to the continued development of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, the Prime Minister said the government would ensure that every citizen had the opportunity to realise their aspirations and contribute to the vision of a developed India.
"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 added.
On August 5, 2019, the union government revoked the provisions of Article 370, ending the special constitutional status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, while Article 35(A) was rendered inoperative. Parliament also enacted the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, bifurcating the erstwhile state into the union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The decision remains one of the most consequential constitutional and political measures undertaken by the Narendra Modi government. UNI SKA AAB