Today marks the day when the government revoked Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. On account of the Fifth anniversary of this landmark decision, the J&K unit of BJP will hold ‘Ekatma Mahatsav’ rally. The rally will take place at Bana Singh Stadium in RS Pura, to commemorate the complete unification of J&K with the rest of India.
According to J&K BJP general secretary and former MLC Vibodh Gupta, this day is of great importance in their lives. He said, “On this vital day five years ago, a historic blunder was corrected and we, the people of Jammu and Kashmir, united completely with the rest of India. We are now able to enjoy all the rights and the liberties, and are progressing on the path of development.”
While addressing the media, he said that on this day the party fulfilled its mission of ‘Ek Vidhan, Ek Nishan, Ek Pradhan’ both in letter and in spirit. It also granted rights to the oppressed communities such as the Valmikis, Gorkhas, and Paharis, which were previously denied. He lauded this historic decision and urged all the people to join in the celebration by participating in the rally in large numbers.
Opposition Holds Protest
While on one hand the BJP is set to celebrate the ‘Ekatma Mahatsav’ in J&K. On the other hand, the opposition parties like the Congress and PDP are criticising this move. A local PDP leader has stated that they will stage a demonstration outside the party office to observe August 5 as ‘Black Day.’
J&K Congress Spokesperson, Ravinder Sharma said, “What was achieved in five years, the BJP should answer to the people, especially Dogras, instead of rubbing salts on their wounds.” Continuing further he stated, that its “shamelessness and compulsion to celebrate the day of J-K’s destruction.”
Taking potshots at the Congress and PDP, the BJP National Spokesperson, Mr. Shehzad Poonawalla took to X and listed how, the J&K post abrogation of Article 370 has transitioned ‘From A Terror Hotspot To – Development And Tourism Hotspot!’
He lists, post abrogation of Article 370, there has been a rise in tourism and investments. How, J&K recorded 2.1 crore tourists in 2023 and foreign tourists arrival increased 2.5 times. He highlights how there has been a decline of 92% in stone pelting incidents, 70% decline in total terrorism-related cases, 81% reduction in civilian deaths and a 48% decline in the death of security forces in J&K since the abrogation of Article 370.
Continuing further, he slammed the Congress and the PDP for calling it a ‘Black Day’. He stated, “It Is A Golden Day For J&K & Bharat But A Black Day For Pakistan Apologists!”
5 YEARS OF ABROGATION OF ARTICLE 370 : FROM TERROR HOTSPOT TO DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM HOTSPOT
🔻RISE IN TOURISM
J&K recorded 2.1 Crore tourist visits in 2023. After abrogation of Article 370, foreign tourists arrival increased by 2.5 times.
In the last 6 months, more than 1… pic.twitter.com/z1GM5sCUTS
— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) August 5, 2024
Meanwhile, the Netizens also slammed the opposition for their move of labelling this day a ‘Black Day’ in India’s history. Some of them expressed their angst on X in the following manner-
This is Shameful. This is the reason I don’t support Congress. Their Mindset, activities and DNA is anti Bharat. We the residents of J&K, We the Bharatiya are celebrating abrogation of Article 370 and it was thrown into the dustbin this day. As a Bharatiya we celebrate this day… https://t.co/Gh7eLtWClv pic.twitter.com/iuUpgI7Cso
— Dr.Monika Langeh (@drmonika_langeh) August 5, 2024
Those who say what changed after abrogation of Article 370, here is what has changed from 2019 to 2024
#FiveYearsOfChange#Article370 pic.twitter.com/QbKvsW6ClL
— Major Pawan Kumar, Shaurya Chakra (Retd) 🇮🇳 (@major_pawan) August 4, 2024
August 5- A Special Connection…
Meanwhile, August 5, holds a special significance for Bharat. For on this day many other landmark decisions were taken in our country. This day marks the fifth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A. Furthermore, it is also the fourth anniversary of the Bhoomipujan of Ayodhya Ram Mandir. For today is the day when PM Modi had laid the foundation stone of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir.
Notably, today the BJP led NDA government is also set to introduce the amended Waqf Act in the Parliament. On Friday, the cabinet had approved around 40 amendments in the Waqf Act. These amendments aim to restrict the unlimited powers that were granted to the Waqf under the UPA regime. It also aims to enhance women’s representation in Central Waqf Council and state boards.
Although there is no confirmation as to on which day the bill will be presented. However, considering the special connection with this date. It is being anticipated that the bill is likely to be presented on Monday.
