Roadblock to development: PM on Art 370

On a visit to Jammu during which he inaugurated an AIIMS and launched a bouquet of other development projects, Prime Minister Narendra Modi weighed in on the Centre’s decision to strip the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir of the special privileges under Article 370 of the Constitution, they were the biggest hurdles to the development and progress of the current Union Territory.

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“Article 370 was the biggest roadblock to the development (to the erstwhile state) of Jammu and Kashmir. However, our government abrogated the act to further integrate Jammu and Kashmir with India. As we all can see, the region has entered a new era of development and progress and is bounding to new heights. This could have not happened had Article 370 still been in force here. It is because of more sweeping decisions like Article 370 that I have urged people to help us win 370 seats and NDA 400 seats in the (2024 Lok Sabha) elections,” PM Modi said after addressing a rally during which he launched multiple projects worth over Rs 32,000 crore for Jammu and Kashmir and more worth Rs 13,500 crore for other parts of the country.

Invoking the soon-to-be-released film ‘Article 370’, starring Yami Gautam in the lead role, PM Modi said it will help debunk myths around the Centre’s decision and put the people square with facts.

“I am told that a film titled ‘Article 370’ is going to be released this week. It is good that movies are being made on such subjects as it will bust all myths and falsehoods and help people gather correct information around Article 370 and the decision to roll it back,” he said.