As Modi sets a new tone in Sonamarg, a look at his J&K speeches after Art 370 abrogation

Modi called Kashmir “the crown on India’s head”, saying that he wanted it to be “more beautiful and prosperous”. He mentioned Abdullah’s participation in the first-ever international marathon held in J&K recently, saying he congratulated the CM when he met him in Delhi and saw his great enthusiasm.

The tone and tenor of the PM’s speech marked a break with his previous speeches delivered at rallies in Srinagar and Katra on September 19, 2024 amid the Assembly polls, where he slammed dynastic politics.

In his Katra rally, Modi made references to Article 370, saying, “We will not let Pakistan’s agenda be implemented in J&K. No power in the world can bring back Article 370.”

In his poll rally in Doda on September 14, Modi attacked political dynasties and took credit for extending reservation to certain sections deprived of its benefit for decades. Flagging it earlier at a Srinagar rally on June 20, 2024, Modi said: “Today, I am glad that we are living the Constitution and finding new ways to improve life in Kashmir through it. The Indian Constitution has now been truly implemented in J&K. Those who failed to implement the Constitution until now are guilty; they have wronged the youth, daughters, and the people of Kashmir. Friends, all this good work has been possible because the divisive wall of Article 370 has now fallen.”

At a rally in Udhampur on April 12, 2024, Modi said, “The abrogation of Article 370 was a big and bold decision by our government that has opened the doors for the holistic development of J&K. It has enabled equal constitutional rights for all, record increase in tourism and establishment of IIM and IIT for quality educational prospects in J&K.”

On March 7, 2024, during his first visit to the Valley after the revocation of Article 370, Modi mentioned Article 370 multiple times in his speech. “Today, J&K is scaling new heights of development, as it breathes freely. This liberation from restrictions followed the abrogation of Article 370. For decades, Congress and its allies misled the people of J&K and the nation in the name of Article 370 for political gains,” the PM told a Viksit Bharat, Viksit Jammu and Kashmir event. “Whether J&K truly benefited from Article 370 or if it merely served the interests of certain political families, the people of J&K have come to realise the truth – they were misled. Article 370 kept J&K shackled for the benefit of a select few families. Today, with its revocation, the talent of J&K’s youth is being duly recognised, and they are being presented with new opportunities.”

The PM also said that “refugees from Pakistan, Valmiki community members, and sanitation workers, who were denied voting rights for 70 years, now enjoy them”. He added that “The long-standing demand of the Valmiki community to be included in the SC category has been fulfilled. Additionally, seats have been reserved in the Assembly for STs. Also, communities like the ‘Paddari tribe’, ‘Pahari ethnic group’, ‘Gadda Brahmin’, and ‘Koli’ have been recognized as STs… ‘Parvivarvaadi’ (dynastic) parties deprived the people of J&K of these rights for decades”.

Inaugurating the Sonamarg tunnel, Modi said it was time for “all of us to realise our dreams, and make resolutions and accomplishments together”, adding: “I want to say that the distance (between Delhi and the Valley) has been erased… Modi will walk in step with you and remove every hurdle that comes in the path of your dreams… This tunnel will give new wings to tourism in this area… This has fulfilled the long-pending demand of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.”

Holding that the J&K people have come out of a “difficult past”, the PM also said they were now watching movies in cinema halls, adding the state was hosting international marathons, cricket matches and car races around the Dal lake. He said the construction of AIIMS in Jammu and Avantipura was progressing rapidly, and that the IIT, IIM and Jammu central university campuses were providing quality education.

Addressing an event in Jammu on April 24, 2022 during his first visit to the Union Territory after the scrapping of J&K’s special status, the PM emphasised that things have improved since the abrogation of Article 370. “In the last 2-3 years, new dimensions of development have been created in J&K. As many as 175 central laws which empowered the people were not implemented here. We implemented those laws to empower every person of J&K and made you powerful,” he said.

Highlighting J&K’s turnaround, Modi also claimed: “During the seven decades after Independence, private investment of only Rs 17,000 crore was made in J&K whereas within the last two years this figure has reached Rs 38,000 crore. Private companies are coming here to invest Rs 38,000 crore.”