Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today that nationalist people of Jammu and Kashmir have rejected the old agenda of terrorism and separatism and made the Indian Constitution and democracy victorious with their votes (in the Assembly elections held last month).
Addressing the National Unity Day parade at Kevadia near the iconic Statue of Unity at Ektta Nagar in Gujarat today, Modi said for seven decades, the Constitution of Baba Saheb Ambedkar was not implemented in Jammu and Kashmir because of the wall of Article 370 (which granted special status to erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir).
“Article 370 was a wall which stopped implementation of the Constitution of India in Jammu and Kashmir. It deprived the people of their rights. Now, we have buried Article 370 forever,” he added.
The Prime Minister said for the first time impartial Assembly elections were held in Jammu and Kashmir and this was also for the first time that the Chief Minister took oath of the Indian Constitution after 75 years of independence.
This picture, he said, will give solace and peace to the souls of Constitution makers. This is a big and strong step and tribute to India’s unity.
“The nationalist people of Jammu and Kashmir have rejected the old agenda of terrorism and separatism. They made the Indian Constitution and democracy victorious with their vote and put to an end the misleading campaign. People of J&K made the Constitution proud and I salute them on the Unity Day today,” Modi said.
He said it was after seven decades that India’s ‘Ek Desh, Ek Samvidhan (One Nation, One Constitution)’ pledge was fulfilled and this is my befitting tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The Prime Minister said for 70 long years, Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s Constitution was not implemented in Jammu and Kashmir which was a grave insult by those who talked of the Constitution. And result for this was Article 370.
“Due to India’s increasing strengths and capabilities, some forces in and outside are trying to destabilise the country and spread anarchy. They want to hurt India’s economic interests. They want to send a wrong message to foreign investors by portraying a negative image of the nation in the world,” he said.
Without taking names, Modi said “these people” are also targeting India’s armed forces through a “disinformation campaign” and trying to ignite sentiments of separatism in the Army.
“These people are trying to divide the country on caste lines. Their only goal is to weaken the Indian society as well as people’s unity,” he said.
They don’t want to see India as a developed country because what suits them is the politics of a weaker and poor India, he said, adding that such “dirty politics” went on for nearly five decades.
Modi alleged that though these forces always talk about democracy and the Constitution, they are actually working to divide the country.
PTI adds from Bhuj: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India cannot compromise on even an “inch” of land on its borders, adding the people believe in the strength of its armed forces for defending the country.
India’s enemies “see the end of their sinister plans” when they see the Indian Armed Forces, he said at Sir Creek in Gujarat’s Kutch district, as he kept up his tradition of celebrating Diwali with personnel of the armed forces.
The spot is located close to the Indo-Pak border.
“In the past, attempts were made to turn this region into a battlefield. The enemy has set its eyes on this region for a long time. But we are not worried as you are guarding the nation. Our enemy also knows it well,” Modi asserted.
“People of India feel their country is safe because of you; when the world sees you, it sees India’s strength, when enemies see you, they see the end of their sinister plans,” Modi said, addressing personnel of the Border Security Force, Army, Navy and Air Force.
“Today there is a Government in the country which cannot compromise even on one inch of the country’s borders,” the Prime Minister added.
Attempts were made in the past to capture Sir Creek “in the name of diplomacy” by the enemy but he, as then Gujarat Chief Minister, had raised his voice against such attempts, Modi said.
His Government believes in the strength of the Army to defend the country and does not depend on the words of the country’s enemies, Modi further said.
Notably, Indian and Chinese troops earlier this week completed disengagement at two friction points at Demchok and Depsang Plains in Eastern Ladakh following an agreement between the two countries to end an over four-year-old stand-off along the Line of Actual Control.
The Prime Minister, meanwhile, also said that we see the Army, Navy and Air Force as different entities, “but their strength will increase manifold when they come together.”
The creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was a step in this direction, and the Government is now working on creating Integrated Theatre Command, which will bring in better coordination between the army, air force and the navy, the PM said.
Development of infrastructure in border areas was a “top priority,” he added.
The PM said the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), a statutory body under the ownership of the Ministry of Defence, has so far built 80,000 kilometres of roads, including strategically important ones.
Modi said his Government is working on providing latest equipment to the armed forces and turning them into one of the most advanced militaries in the world.
“This is the era of new-age warfare. Drone technology is an example of that. Countries at war at present are using drones for different purposes. We are buying Predator drones for all the three wings of the armed forces,” he said.
