While campaigning in Srinagar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress, National Conference (NC), and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of robbing the future of youths in Jammu and Kashmir by pushing them towards violence for petty political purposes. He alleged that these parties have, over the years, handed “stones to the youths” instead of providing them with opportunities, thus ruining the prospect of an entire generation.
Campaigning for the assembly election before a gathered audience, Modi vowed not to let the “three families of Jammu and Kashmir” destroy another generation. He claimed that the BJP is committed to restoring peace and development in the region. “I will not let another generation of ours be destroyed at the hands of these three families. That’s why I am sincerely working toward restoring peace here.” said the prime minister.
“Their political agenda has been to deprive the people of Jammu and Kashmir of their legitimate rights. They have given only fear and anarchy to Jammu and Kashmir but now Jammu and Kashmir will no longer be in the grip of these three families.Now our youth here is challenging them. The youth whom they did not allow to progress have come out against them. The suffering that the youth of J&K have faced in the rule of these three families is often not able to come out,” he emphasised.
Referring to the positive changes brought about by his government, he mentioned that schools and colleges in Jammu and Kashmir are now performing well, where kids are now writing with pens, books, and laptops and not being caught in violent unrest. It was the government that had worked towards enhancing educational infrastructure with new schools, colleges, AIIMS, medical institutions, and IITs, which clearly showed a shift from the times when news about school fires ran their roost.
The BJP has often criticised these regional parties for putting a stop to progress in Jammu and Kashmir. Modi’s remarks come at a time when the region is about to hold its first assembly elections since the abrogation of Article 370-a momentous occasion in the region’s political landscape.
Elections for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly are being conducted after a big gap of 10 years. The first phase was held on September 18, and the other two rounds will be conducted on September 25 and October 1. Counting is scheduled on October 8.
