Jammu, 26 December 2025: Dr. Pardeep Mahotra, Media Incharge, J&K BJP, said that Article 370 reminds the people of Jammu & Kashmir of the grave injustice inflicted by this provision for over seven decades.
Dr. Pardeep said that the abrogation of Article 370 marked the end of a draconian, discriminatory, and regressive system that kept Jammu & Kashmir isolated from the national mainstream and deprived many sections of rights and opportunities to lead dignified life.
He said the worst sufferers under Article 370 were West Pakistan Refugees, Gorkhas, Valmiki Samaj members, women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other marginalized communities, who were denied citizenship rights, property ownership, and equal opportunities despite being Indian citizens. He highlighted that women of J&K lost permanent residency rights upon marrying outside the state, calling it a blatant example of gender discrimination incompatible with democratic values.
Dr. Pardeep quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who emphasized that Article 370 was dismantled to ensure welfare, dignity, and justice for the people. He said the historic decision of August 2019 reaffirmed BJP’s commitment to equality and inclusive development, enabling residents of J&K to enjoy fundamental rights, constitutional safeguards, and social justice laws at par with the rest of India.
He further stated that Article 370 obstructed governance and transparency, as laws like the Right to Information Act and Central Vigilance Commission had limited applicability, allowing corruption, dynastic politics, and lack of accountability to flourish. Economically, it choked growth by discouraging investment, J&K remained among the lowest recipients of Foreign Direct Investment, with minimal industrial development and limited employment opportunities for youth.
Dr. Pardeep asserted that Article 370 was misused to fuel a sense of separatism and terrorism, providing Pakistan an excuse to interfere in India’s internal affairs. Recurrent strikes, unrest, and curfews crippled daily life, damaged tourism, and curtailed freedoms.
Paying tribute to Dr. Shyama Prasad Mookherjee, he recalled his sacrifice opposing “Ek Desh mein Do Vidhaan, Do Pradhaan, Do Nishaan,” a vision later carried forward by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and realized under Prime Minister Modi.
He added that the abrogation enabled implementation of over 800 Central laws related to education, women empowerment, labour rights, and social welfare, transforming governance.
Dr. Pardeep said that those demanding restoration of Article 370, are, infact, opposing equality and human rights, as no democracy can justify denying full citizenship to its people for 70 years, reiterating that the provision will never return.
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