SRINAGAR: The Vice-President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar, commended the efforts of the Executive led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Parliament, and the Judiciary for the abrogation of Article 370. He said that with the repeal of special status, the dream of Shyama Prasad Mukherji has been fulfilled.
“Mukherjee wanted to visit Jammu and Kashmir, but, due to the prevailing permit system, he was denied permission. He was arrested on 11 May at Lakhanpur, Kathua, while crossing the border into Kashmir illegally,” the Vice President said. “Although the ID card rule was revoked owing to his efforts, he died as a detainee on 23 June 1953.”
He addressed the inauguration of the Biotech Startup Expo on “Emerging Startup Trends in North India” in Kathua, aimed at developing the district along the International Border with Pakistan as a hub for budding entrepreneurs.
“Congratulations to the executive led by the Prime Minister, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and the judiciary. With the help of all three, Article 370 was removed forever,” he said.
Highlighting the steps taken by the government in the region, Dhankhar noted that sections of society in Jammu and Kashmir, previously denied their rights and benefits under government schemes, now have a greater voice in governance and witness a transformed scenario.
He added that with this, Shyama Prasad Mukherji’s dream has been completely fulfilled.
“The land with grave imprints of Dr Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, the land facing danger, has seen that danger being removed in this era,” he maintained, adding, “No one thought that Article 370 would be stamped out. This article, called temporary in the Constitution, became an eyesore for us.”
Further, the vice president outlined five parameters or ‘Panchatantra’ fundamental to the growth and progress of any nation: peace and stability, equality of law, transparency and accountability in governance, an ecosystem that favours meritocracy, and empowerment of women, all of which, he said, are ground realities in India today.
Stressing the fifth parameter, Dhankhar drew attention to the opportunities that have opened up for the women of Jammu and Kashmir, with the availability of property rights following the abrogation of Article 370, in addition to the rights conferred by the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.
The abrogation of Article 370 and the enabling initiatives taken by the government in Jammu and Kashmir have resulted in “development being completely delinked from partisan interests,” said the Vice-President.
Recognizing that every individual has a right to participate in politics, the vice president cautioned that politics must not become a deterrent to progress.
Expressing appreciation for the nation’s progress in the domain of biotechnology, the Vice-President made special mention of India’s position as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, having more unicorns than China.
Highlighting the extent of India’s internet penetration and its numerous digital transactions, Dhankhar also emphasized the importance of nurturing a robust research ecosystem for the progress of the country.
The Vice-President also congratulated the graduating students and awardees of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Jammu, whose 8th Convocation Ceremony he was scheduled to attend earlier in the day. Dhankhar conveyed his regrets for his inability to attend the event owing to adverse weather conditions.
Earlier, the Vice President was scheduled to address the convocation of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Sciences and Technology-Jammu. However, the flight had to be rerouted through Pathankot before the event in Kathua, owing to the deteriorating weather situation.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar reached Pathankot airbase where Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, Air Force and Police officials welcomed him. Later, the Vice President left for Kathua. He inaugurated the Biotech Startup Expo in Kathua.
The Vice President also planted saplings in the Biotech Industrial Park.
Meanwhile, a delegation of industry representatives and local citizens from various fields met the Vice President. They thanked Dhankhar for being the first Vice President to visit Kathua. (KNO)
