Jammu and Kashmir

Amit Shah is trending due to his recent activities in Jammu and Kashmir. On September 6, 2024, he launched the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s manifesto for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. His speech emphasized several key issues:

1.Article 370 Amit Shah:

• He criticized the National Conference and Congress for supporting its return.

2.Welfare Programs:

• Shah highlighted ongoing efforts to return properties to these communities​.

India’s Home Minister Amit Shah:

• Amit Shah, India’s Home Minister, recently delivered a significant speech during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir on September 6, 2024, while launching the BJP’s manifesto for the upcoming assembly elections in the region.

Highlight Amit Shah:

• He highlighted a dramatic reduction in terror-related incidents, claiming a 70% decrease from previous years, and the complete end of stone-pelting since 2019.

In his latest speech, Amit Shah highlighted several key points during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir

1.Transformation from Terrorism to Tourism:

• Shah emphasized that under the Modi government’s leadership, Jammu and Kashmir has transitioned from a “terrorist hotspot” to a “tourist hotspot.” He credited the abrogation of Article 370 for the dramatic decline in terrorism and the increase in economic and tourism activities​.

2.Decline in Terrorism:

Amit Shah he pointed out that the region has seen a 70% reduction in terror-related incidents and a complete end to stone-pelting since Article 370’s abrogation in 2019​.

3.Economic Growth and Development Amit Shah:

• Amit Shah also mentioned ongoing development projects in Jammu and Kashmir, such as better infrastructure, education, and healthcare facilities. He asserted that the economic revival of the region is one of the government’s main achievements​.

4.Rehabilitation for Kashmiri Pandits and Sikhs:

The BJP’s manifesto, which he launched, includes provisions for the rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits and Sikhs, aiming to return their properties​.

Amit Shah speech aimed to project stability, development, and security in Jammu and Kashmir under BJP governance:

• Article 370 was a provision in the Indian Constitution that granted special autonomy to the region of Jammu and Kashmir.

Article 370:

1.Special Autonomy Amit Shah:

• Jammu and Kashmir had more autonomy compared to other Indian states. The state’s laws were different from those of the rest of India, and the Indian Parliament could only make laws for Jammu and Kashmir on subjects in the Union and Concurrent lists with the state’s approval.

2.Separate Constitution:

• This provision, however, gave the state unique powers that differed from other Indian states. Furthermore, the state’s constitution controlled most matters, including residency and property rights. Over time, this led to differences in governance, but the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 fully integrated the region into India’s constitutional framework, thereby removing the separate constitution.

3.Permanent Residents and Property Rights:

• Article 370, along with Article 35A, defined the rights of the state’s “permanent residents.”

4.A Temporary Provision:

• Though it was initially meant to be temporary, Article 370 remained in effect for decades until its abrogation in August 2019 by the Indian government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

However, it was controversial, with opponents arguing that it violated constitutional norms and led to unrest in the region​.