Once in terrorism, dynastic dominance; J&K now on path of dev, national integration: Chugh

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: Saying that the BJP and its earlier avatar Bharatiya Jana Sangh has had a close affinity with Jammu and Kashmir, BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh on Tuesday observed that Kashmir symbolizes nationalism, national integrity and unity, prosperity and development.
Chugh, who is also Incharge for Jammu and Kashmir, said that the BJP has all along struggled since the era of Jana Sangh for Ek Vidhan, Ek Nishan, Ek Pradhan and Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee was the first martyr of the independent India who sacrificed life for the cause of Kashmir.

“As a result of this, for the first time, in the golden year of independence, Kashmir’s Lal Chowk resounded with Bharat Mata Ki Jai with tricolor flying aloft”, Chugh said, adding that Jammu and Kashmir remained isolated due to politics of appeasement. But on 5th of August 2019, which was a historic day for India and Jammu and Kashmir, the seven decades old dream was realized. Kashmiriyat was fully restored and an era of holistic development began with renewed vigour. The destiny of the Union Territory is changing under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Speaking on situation in Kashmir, which he said was gripped by fear due to machinations of anti-national forces, is now reverberating with the spirit of patriotism. “Once caught in the clutches of nepotism and terrorism, Kashmir today is the flag bearer of nationalism and development. A constitution, a mark, a leader’s dream came true in a country. The dream of Akhand Bharat, Ek Bharat, Samarth Bharat and Sakhsham Bharat is a reality now,” he added.
Chugh dwelt upon the political situation in Jammu and Kashmir and said that a year after the abrogation of Article 370, the first Block Development Council elections were held, with voter turnout of 98.3 percent. There was also a record participation in district level elections. He said that the Valmiki community, the Gurkha people and the dis-possessed and displaced refugees from West Pakistan have got the right to vote in the elections for the first time. Domicile law has been enforced, as per which, persons who have lived in Jammu and Kashmir for 15 years or more will also be considered as domiciles. The way has been cleared for the resettlement of the Kashmiri Pandits, who were hounded out from the Kashmir Valley in 1990.
Provision of jobs and construction of transit accommodation for returning Kashmiri migrants is in progress. Protection of the rights of girls married outside Jammu and Kashmir and their children have also been ensured, he maintained.
Chugh concluded by saying that Narendra Modi Government, dedicated to the motto of Antyodaya and the spirit of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas, has given a new impetus to development in Jammu and Kashmir, which has been neglected for decades. Both the image and destiny of Jammu and Kashmir are changing and soon Jammu and Kashmir will stand in the ranks of developed states of the country, he asserted.