Khatana terms Omar’s statement misguiding, credits Modi for crushing terrorism

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 12: Rajya Sabha MP Gulam Ali Khatana has criticized former Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah’s recent remarks linking terrorist attacks to the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a strongly worded statement, Khatana expressed deep disappointment over what he termed “misguided rhetoric” from Abdullah.
The MP asserted that Abdullah’s comments reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of the transformative changes in J&K under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Khatana dismissed Abdullah’s claim that the abrogation of Article 370 failed to stop militancy, calling it short sighted and ignorance of the region’s significant progress since the historic decision.
Khatana pointed out Abdullah’s recent electoral defeat in the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat, suggesting it indicates his disconnect from the new realities of a developing J&K. The MP accused the Abdullah and Mufti dynasties of exploiting youth for political gain over decades, contrasting their approach with PM Modi’s efforts to provide a bright future for young Kashmiris.
Highlighting the post-Article 370 era, Khatana said J&K is experiencing unprecedented development, with projects worth thousands of crores transforming the region. He noted the shift from headlines about stone-throwing to stories of economic advancement and social upliftment.
The MP lauded various Government schemes, particularly the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), for providing direct financial assistance to both urban and rural residents. “Gone are the days when the poor had to perform menial tasks for bureaucrats and politicians just to secure Government support for building their homes. Today, entitled citizens receive their pensions directly in their bank accounts, without having to wait in long queues or navigate complex procedures”, he said and emphasized the elimination of bureaucratic hurdles and the dismantling of middleman culture under the Modi Government.
“PM Modi has decentralized power, empowering local bodies so that public representatives now receive sufficient funds for every constituency, from Panchayats to the Lok Sabha without any discrimination,” said the MP.
“The Kashmiri Awam is dedicated to peace and progress, contributing wholeheartedly to eliminating terrorism from the soil of Sufism. Our security forces, under the able leadership of Prime Minister have broken the backbone of terrorists and terrorism is on its last leg, he said.