Jammu and Kashmir's identity was "buried on January 19, 1990", Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in parliament today, lashing out at critics of his government's controversial move on August 5 last year to withdraw special status to the former state under Article 370 and bifurcate it into two Union Territories - that of Jammu and Kashmir, and that of Ladakh.
"Most people had said Kashmir will be on fire if Article 370 is removed. We are being questioned for detaining some political leaders (but) on August 5, Mehbooba Mufti said India has betrayed Kashmir and we would have been better with deciding otherwise in 1947," the Prime Minister said today.
"Omar Abdullah said removing Article 370 will separate Kashmir from India. Farooq Abdullah said if Article 370 is removed no one will unfurl national flag in Kashmir. How can we side with them?" the PM asked amid vociferous protests in parliament.
"Who made Kashmir only about land grabbing? Who made Kashmir's identity only about bombs and guns? Can anyone forget that dark night of January? In reality, Kashmiri identity is closely linked with harmony," he declared.
The centre's decision on Article 370, taken in August last year, sparked massive protests from the opposition, who protested the "unconstitutional" and "undemocratic" actions of the centre.
In addition, to control backlash against its decision the centre also cut mobile and broadband internet across the former state, resulting in one of the world's longest internet shutdowns, banned protests and large gatherings, and deployed thousands of soldiers.
These measures have been met with concern by an international community that has repeatedly called for the release of detained leaders and repeal of the communications ban.
Prime Minister said the restrictions imposed on the region are being removed and that the Union Ministers are going to various of parts of the UT and getting direct feed back from the people and that the Government would definitely act upon the feedback.
Prime Minister said that his Government is committed to work for the welfare of the people of J&K and for its all round development.
Prime Minister said that Ladakh would be developed as a Carbon Neutral Union Territory.
Last month the Supreme Court ordered the J&K administration to review all restrictive orders, including the banning of protests and the cutting of internet.
January 19 is remembered as ''Exodus Day'' by the lakhs of Kashmiri Pandits who fled the Kashmir Valley three decades ago, abandoning homes and lives in the face of rising violence and tensions.
In September last year, a month after Article 370 was lifted, a delegation of Kashmiri Pandits met the Prime Minister in Houston - during his "Howdy, Modi!" tour - to thank him.
The PM told them: "You have suffered a lot, but the world is changing. We have to move ahead together and build a new Kashmir".
PM Modi slammed the Congress for alleging that there was no discussion on scrapping Article 370 that accorded special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
“Ghulam Nabi Azad ji said the decisions on Jammu and Kashmir were taken without any discussion. This is not correct. The entire nation had witnessed the detailed discussions on the subject. MPs have voted in favour of the decision,” he added.
Slamming the Congress further PM Modi said that the Opposition members have made stagnation a virtue. “To be honest, I was a little disappointed with some of the remarks made here. Some members have made stagnation a virtue. They were stuck in the same old ways, talking about the same old things of the past,” he added.
He also stated that his government has not stopped taking suggestions from the Congress for the development. “Do we stop making changes to it if suggestions come from Congress-ruled states? No, we won’t. We will make changes according to the need of the hour,” he added.
Talking about the developmental activities initiated by the Central government, PM Modi said till 2018, only 3,500 houses were built there but more than 24,000 houses have been built in just less than 2 years in J-K.
“Look at the speed at which development schemes are being implemented in Jammu and Kashmir. Till March 2018, only 3,500 houses were built there. More than 24,000 houses have been built in just less than 2 years since then!,” he said.
He also stated that the government employees of J-K have got the benefits which were also received by the government employees of the entire country. It happened like this for the first time. Peaceful elections took place for over 4,400 Sarpanchs and 35,000 Panchs,” he added.
He also added that for the first time, start-up policy and trade and export policy were implemented in J-K. “Also, for the first time in J-K, the Anti-Corruption Bureau was formed. For the first time, after Article 370 was abrogated, the poor and the natives got the benefits of reservation. For the first time, women got property rights even if they married outside the state. For the first time, RERA was implemented,” PM Modi said.