Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Oct 23: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said today that Jammu & Kashmir was exploited most by the “champions” of Article 370.
About the threat to ‘identity’ of Kashmir after scrapping of Article 370, he said that contrary to this perception, the State was most exploited under the pretext of Article 370 and asked how some of India’s most intense regional identities like those of Tamil Nadu, Gujarat or Bengal had survived better without Article 370.
Dr Jitendra Singh was speaking to media after he was presented a report based on field study of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir after abrogation of Article 370. The report has been prepared by “Group of Intellectuals and Academicians” (GIA) which comprises senior academicians, professors in universities, former vice-chancellors and Senior Supreme Court advocates, most of them women.
The delegation briefed the Minister about the findings of their observations after field study of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir in three teams visiting Jammu , Kashmir and Ladakh respectively. They briefed that common man across religions, sections and various professional backgrounds in J&K has expressed happiness about the decision of the Government to scrap Article 370. The group also interacted with people living in border areas of J&K and took their views into consideration.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh said that contrary to the misinformation being spread by certain sections about the socalled clampdown situation in J&K, this year has been the most peaceful festive season in the last many years. He added that important festivals like Eid, Independence Day have been celebrated in a peaceful manner after many years. He added that vested interests of some people have led to these misleading perceptions about the threat to identity of people from Jammu & Kashmir.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that after October 31, many women-welfare related provisions will also be implemented. He quoted examples of doing away with Article 35A, applicability of Dowry Prohibition Act, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and others.
Speaking about the industry, Dr Jitendra Singh said that there are now no barriers in the industrial development of J&K. He added that development in J&K will also curb the ‘youth exodus’ from there, as there will be ample opportunities available to them, from which they were deprived earlier. The Minister added that the development model of North East can be replicated in J&K. He added that food processing parks can be opened for apples, strawberry and other fruits on the lines of citrus fruit park in North East.
He said that other products of J&K such as Pashmina, saffron also have huge commercial potential which needs to be tapped for the economic well being of people of J&K. On the militancy issue, the Minister said that terrorism and militancy are in the last phase in Jammu and Kashmir.
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