||Black and White Digital News||

||Tejveer Singh May 21, 2024||

*Synopsis* :

1.PM Modi’s Commitment to Statehood: Emphasizes the government’s “solemn promise” to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.

2.Record Voter Turnout: Highlights the unprecedented voter participation in Srinagar.

3.Historical Abrogation of Article 370:

Discusses the removal of special status and its implications.

4.Supreme Court’s Directive on Assembly Elections: Mentions the set date for assembly elections and the Election Commission’s mandate.

5.BJP’s Exit from Coalition Government: Details BJP’s 2018 decision to leave the coalition for greater regional autonomy.

6.Long-term Vision for J&K: Outlines Modi’s vision for prosperity, cultural revival, and technological advancement.

7.International Recognition and G20 Events: Notes J&K’s role in international events and the global recognition of its progress.

8.Economic and Social Development: Describes the transformation across various sectors since 2014.

BHUBANESWAR, May 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed his government’s steadfast commitment to restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, citing the ongoing efforts to create conducive conditions for this transition. In an exclusive interview with PTI on Sunday night, Modi described the promise as a “solemn” one, highlighting the significant progress made in the region since the abrogation of Article 370.

“The restoration of statehood is a solemn promise we have made, and we stand by it. We are working very hard to create the right conditions so that it can be done expeditiously,” Modi emphasized.

*Record Voter Turnout in Srinagar*

Modi pointed to the record voter turnout in Srinagar as a testament to the positive changes and the democratic engagement of the people. The city saw a 36.7% turnout in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 13, the highest since 1996. This, he noted, was one of the “most gratifying things” he had witnessed during his tenure.

“The voting percentage in Srinagar, once a hotbed for all kinds of radical elements, witnessed the highest voter turnout in decades,” Modi remarked, underscoring the commitment to democratic processes in the region.

*Abrogation of Article 370: A Historical Shift*

The abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 marked a significant shift, bifurcating the erstwhile state into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Modi reflected on this move as a pivotal moment that aligned the region with the national mainstream and enabled broader participation in democratic processes.

“Through the abrogation of Article 370, we today have witnessed not just the dreams and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir coming into fruition but also their enthusiasm for participating in one of the biggest festivals in any democracy – elections,” he stated.

*Supreme Court’s Directive on Assembly Elections*

Addressing the timeline for the long-awaited Assembly elections, Modi noted the Supreme Court’s directive from December 2023, which mandates the Election Commission to conduct elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30, 2024. He expressed confidence in the Election Commission’s capacity to execute this mandate effectively.

*BJP’s Strategic Exit from Coalition Government*

Modi also reflected on the BJP’s strategic decision to withdraw from the coalition government with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in June 2018. This move, he explained, was aimed at devolving more power to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and addressing rising issues of terrorism and violence. The BJP’s exit led to the fall of the Mehbooba Mufti government and the imposition of central rule.

“We fulfilled our commitment by conducting peaceful local body and Panchayat elections in Jammu and Kashmir in December 2018,” he added, highlighting the party’s dedication to enhancing local governance and democratic engagement.

*Long-term Vision for Prosperity and Development*

Looking ahead, Modi outlined a comprehensive vision for Jammu and Kashmir, focusing on peace, prosperity, and cultural revival. He envisaged a future where the region would emerge as a hub of culture, knowledge, tourism, and futuristic technologies like artificial intelligence.

“Our aspiration is that Jammu and Kashmir regains its stature as the hub of culture, knowledge, and tourism along with becoming a center of futuristic technologies like AI,” Modi said, emphasizing the long-term strategy for sustainable development and peace.

*International Recognition and G20 Events*

The Prime Minister also highlighted Jammu and Kashmir’s role in hosting international delegates during the G20 events, reflecting the global recognition of the region’s progress and stability.

*Economic and Social Transformation*

Since the abrogation of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed significant advancements across various sectors, from tourism and education to agriculture and entrepreneurship. Modi noted the government’s efforts in creating an ecosystem that fosters development and opportunities for all, especially the youth and marginalized communities.

“Our strategy is already proving to be successful. You look at some of the events that routinely happen at Dal Lake. I was amazed to see that a Formula-4 event drew such massive crowds. When we replace fear with hope, we convert hopelessness into aspiration,” he concluded.

Modi’s remarks reflect a vision of an integrated, prosperous Jammu and Kashmir, setting the stage for its statehood restoration and continued development as a beacon of democracy and progress in India.