NEW DELHI, July 20: As the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 approaches, Union Minister Jitendra Singh stated that peace in Jammu and Kashmir is no longer maintained through appeasement, but through firm and inclusive governance.
In an exclusive interview, Singh, who represents Udhampur in the Lok Sabha and serves as Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, said the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019 has led to deeper integration of the people of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India.
“Earlier, people in the region felt isolated due to how they had been conditioned. But now, there’s a growing psychological and emotional connection with the rest of the country,” Singh remarked.
He noted that numerous laws which previously did not apply to Jammu and Kashmir are now being enforced, creating a sense of equality and unity. The abrogation of Article 370 also allowed the bifurcation of the state into two union territories—Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Criticizing past governments, Singh said they often tried to negotiate peace through dialogue with Pakistan or separatist groups, which ultimately yielded little. In contrast, Prime Minister Modi’s approach has led even former separatists to accept the new status quo.
“Peace is no longer a compromise or concession,” he said. “It reflects the will of the Indian government and its citizens.”
Singh also pointed out that discriminatory laws, such as denying property rights to daughters who married outside Jammu and Kashmir, have been repealed. Refugees from Pakistan, who previously lacked citizenship rights despite contributing national leaders like I.K. Gujral, Manmohan Singh, and L.K. Advani, are now being treated fairly.
He emphasized that beyond legal and constitutional reforms, a broader change in social mindset is occurring, with youth from Jammu and Kashmir thriving across sectors in India.
Singh acknowledged that terrorism had long stalled development in the region, especially in the Kashmir Valley. Projects like railway expansion had been delayed for decades, but under Modi’s leadership, efforts to bring rail connectivity to the valley have regained momentum.
“This is not just a political transformation, but a step towards restoring human dignity and development in Jammu and Kashmir,” Singh concluded.
