According to India’s Modi, Kashmir has prospered since its special status was revoked

On Thursday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first trip to Indian Kashmir since the Himalayan region’s semiautonomous status was taken away by his government almost five years ago. In the midst of heavy security, Modi told a throng crammed into the Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, the regional capital, that since his government intervened on August 5, 2019, Kashmir has flourished and experienced major changes. That day, the Indian constitution’s Articles 370 and 35A were declared invalid by the Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. The loss of Kashmir’s special status resulted in the split of the area into Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, two federal territories. The national government is in charge of both regions.

Because J&K may now breathe freely, Jammu and Kashmir is reaching new heights of growth. After Article 370 was repealed, there is now no longer any constraint,” Modi stated. He continued, seemingly referring to the two regional pro-India political groups, the National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party, without naming them. “Few political parties used Article 370 for their own political benefits, but that’s over now,” he said. Under the pretense of the since-revoked special status, he further claimed that the Indian National Congress, better known as Congress, and its regional supporters “deceived people, J&K and the nation for political benefits”.

Before Modi’s visit to the region with a majority of Muslims, strict security measures were implemented. To create roadblocks, government troops excavated holes in the main route and inserted wooden rafters into them. Srinagar was designated a “red zone” for drones by the local police. The Indian flag-draped, gated complex was only open to those with official passes from the government. The lecture drew thousands of people from the Kashmir valley. However, several said that because they worked for the local government, they were compelled to attend Modi’s event. Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah, two former chief ministers, supported their assertions by posting screenshots and videos of the government-selected attendance list on social media site X.