SRINAGAR: BJP national president Nitin Nabin on Monday said the abrogation of Article 370 fulfilled the long-cherished dream of Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee and asserted that Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a major transformation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Addressing a gathering in Jammu to mark the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee, Nabin said the BJP founder’s vision of “one nation, one constitution and one symbol” was realised after the Centre revoked Article 370 in 2019.
“The dream that Syama Prasad Mukherjee saw for Jammu and Kashmir was fulfilled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The real change came in 2019 when Article 370 was removed,” Nabin said.
Paying tributes to Mukherjee, Nabin said his struggle and sacrifice continue to inspire BJP workers across the country. He said Mukherjee fought for the complete integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India and worked with a vision for the country’s development.
Recalling his association with the Ekta Yatra, Nabin said there was a time when hoisting the national flag in Kashmir was considered a challenge. “People ask what has changed. A lot has changed in India. The same Lal Chowk, where raising the Tricolour was once opposed, now proudly witnesses the national flag,” he said.
Launching an attack on the Congress, the BJP leader accused previous governments of adopting a “dual approach” towards Jammu and Kashmir and alleged that the region remained deprived of development for decades.
“If the BJP government had not come to power in Delhi, the youth of Jammu and Kashmir would still have been known for stone-pelting. Today, they are making the country proud in sports and other fields,” he said.
Nabin said the Modi government has focused on development, security and welfare in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the Centre has ensured that benefits of government schemes directly reach people through transparent mechanisms.
“Earlier, questions were raised about whether money sent from Delhi reached the people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi created a system where every rupee meant for people reaches them through direct benefit transfer,” he said.
Highlighting various development initiatives, Nabin said the government’s focus remains on empowering the poor, youth, women and farmers. He added that border villages, once considered the last villages, are now being developed as the country’s first villages.
Expressing confidence over BJP’s future in Jammu and Kashmir, Nabin said the party would continue its outreach among people.
“The day is not far when the BJP will form its own government in Jammu and Kashmir. The lotus will bloom in the valleys of Kashmir too,” he said.
On national security, Nabin said the Modi government has shown that India will give a strong response to any threat. “This is a new India. The security of every citizen is our priority,” he added.
He said the BJP remains committed to taking Jammu and Kashmir forward on the path of peace, development and prosperity under the mantra of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas.”
