Jammu, Feb 27: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale declared on Thursday that the Centre’s choice to revoke Article 370 of the Constitution was a positive development, enhancing progress and effectively “ending” terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
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The minister for social justice and empowerment remarked at a press conference that a time existed when tourists hesitated to visit Jammu and Kashmir, but this fear has dissipated since the revocation of Article 370.
On August 5, 2019, the Centre abrogated Article 370, which had granted a special status to the former state of Jammu and Kashmir. The government subsequently divided the region into two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
“The government led by PM Narendra Modi has made many significant decisions, and the abrogation of Article 370 was a monumental step that bolstered development in J&K, eradicated terrorism, created job opportunities, established peace, and set the stage for unfurling the national flag,” said Athawale.
He continued, stating that previously, individuals were hesitant to travel to J&K, but following the revocation of Article 370, over 2.5 million tourists visited the union territory last year.
“The rise in tourism indicates more development for the area. Revoking Article 370 was indeed a wise decision. Now, the citizens are urging us to restore J&K’s statehood. During (Home Minister) Amit Shah’s announcement regarding Article 370’s removal, he also stated that J&K’s statehood would be reinstated at the right moment. Jammu and Kashmir will soon regain state status, and all local issues will be addressed,” he added.
The minister praised the record-high voter turnout in last year’s assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Even though the National Conference and the Congress formed a coalition government, it is inconsequential to us; we stand with the people and prioritize the region’s advancement,” he stated.
In response to a question about the rape of a 26-year-old woman on a bus at a busy depot in Pune, Athawale called such events deplorable and heartbreaking.
“We demand that the perpetrators of such crimes be given the death penalty,” he insisted.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has already instructed the police to expedite the investigation and ensure that the offender is apprehended, he noted.
“Society must unite to combat the rising number of such incidents. Those responsible for such acts should be ostracized, especially considering we are witnessing atrocities against even young children. It is vital for parents and families to ensure that their children receive a quality education,” he mentioned.
Regarding the opposition to the “imposition” of Hindi in Tamil Nadu, Athawale posited that introducing Hindi in the southern state should not be resisted, as it could undermine the nation’s unity and integrity.
“Hindi is spoken by nearly 90 to 100 crore individuals, while regional languages are limited to specific locales. Thus, there is no detriment in presenting Hindi in any context,” he remarked.
Athawale was visiting to assess the advancements of centrally-sponsored initiatives aimed at developing the union territory and expressed contentment with the implementation of governmental programs for various communities.
