 Early Times Report
Jammu, July 6: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Nitin Navin on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi fulfilled the dream of Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee by abrogating Articles 370 and 35A and ensuring what he described as “real freedom” for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing BJP workers on the occasion of Dr. Mookerjee’s 125th birth anniversary during his maiden visit to Jammu and Kashmir after assuming office as the BJP’s National President, Navin said the removal of Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status marked the fulfilment of the vision for which Dr. Mookerjee dedicated his life and ultimately made the supreme sacrifice. “This is a historic occasion. Today, as we celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, we can proudly say that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has fulfilled his dream by removing Articles 370 and 35A and ensuring real freedom for the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Navin said.
He said July 6 was not merely the birth anniversary of a great nationalist leader but also a day to reaffirm the BJP’s commitment to the ideals of national unity and integrity championed by Dr. Mookerjee.
Recalling Dr. Mookerjee’s historic movement against Jammu and Kashmir’s separate constitutional status, Navin said the slogan of “Ek Vidhan, Ek Nishan, Ek Pradhan” had become a reality under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.
“We are proud that while celebrating the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the Tricolour and the BJP flag are flying with pride even in his birthplace, West Bengal,” he said.
Launching a sharp attack on the Congress, Navin alleged that decades of its policies had pushed Jammu and Kashmir towards instability and deprived its youth of opportunities.
“If the BJP had not formed the government at the Centre, the youth of Jammu and Kashmir would have continued to be identified with stone-pelting instead of bringing laurels to the country through sports,” he said.
Drawing a contrast between the situation before and after 2014, the BJP president said the identity of Kashmiri youth was once associated with unrest, whereas today they are earning recognition through their achievements in sports, education, entrepreneurship, innovation, and other fields.
“Before 2014, the identity of Kashmir’s youth was often linked to stone-pelting. Today, the same youth are making Jammu and Kashmir proud by excelling in the Ranji Trophy and other national sporting events. This transformation has been possible because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary leadership, which has encouraged young people to realise their potential and move forward with confidence,” he said.
Navin said the BJP-led government has ensured that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir are now becoming partners in development instead of victims of separatist politics.
He also highlighted various development initiatives undertaken in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370, saying the region has witnessed unprecedented progress in infrastructure, connectivity, tourism, education, investment, and employment opportunities.
The BJP National President’s two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir is being viewed as significant from both political and organisational perspectives. It is his maiden visit to the Union Territory after taking over as the party’s national chief and comes at a time when the BJP is intensifying its outreach programmes in the region.
During his visit, Navin is scheduled to hold a series of organisational meetings with party leaders, legislators, MPs, former elected representatives, and office-bearers to review the party’s activities and strengthen its grassroots network.
On Tuesday, he will pay floral tributes to veteran Jana Sangh leader Pandit Prem Nath Dogra at Dogra Chowk in Jammu before participating in meetings with BJP MPs, MLAs, and former public representatives. He will also interact with young people during a “Yuva Samvad” programme at the Convention Centre.
Earlier in the day, Navin received a grand welcome on his arrival at Jammu Airport. Party workers and senior BJP leaders greeted him at several locations, including Satwari, Gandhi Nagar, and outside MA Stadium, before he proceeded to the conference venue at Mishriwala. |
