Abrogation of Article 370 in J-K has led to change in mindset, there is "aspirational surge": Jitendra Singh
New Delhi, June 20
Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh on Friday said that the abrogation of Article 370 has led to "change in mindset" in Jammu and Kashmir and noted that youth from smaller towns are excelling in examinations including in competitive tests.
In an interview with ANI, the Union Minister said there has been "aspirational surge".
"I think one of the biggest and a significant change is that in the mindset. Today, children from small towns are topping exams... This aspirational surge took place, and they felt a feeling of belongingness, which wasn't there before, because of Article 370, they considered themselves different, and the people who were outsiders, also saw them as different," he said.
"Daughters didn't have rights over their property, and people who came from Pakistan didn't have the right to vote. Now they felt that they too are equal citizens of India," he added.
The BJP-led government at the Centre repealed Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019 and bifurcated it into two Union Territories - Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Answering another query, Jitendra Singh also reaffirmed the government's firm stance on Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the only leader capable of tackling the "outstanding issue" of the region's re-integration into the country.
In an interview with ANI, the Union Minister highlighted the significance of the unanimous parliamentary resolution passed in 1994, which declared that the entirety of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh is an integral part of India, and highlighted the BJP's affirmative participation in it.
Referring to the plight of the people in territories occupied by Pakistan, the Union Minister stated that residents of PoJK have long been treated as "second-class citizens" by Islamabad.
"(People of) PoJK have always been treated as second-class citizens by Islamabad. In 1994, a resolution was adopted in Parliament and BJP supported it. It stated that there is no issue between India and Pakistan. If there is any outstanding issue, it is PoJK and how to make it a part of the Indian Republic again. If this happens, then only PM Modi will be able to do it. No one else can do it...he has the capacity, he has the courage, he has the conviction," the Union Minister stated.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good to hear about daughters getting property rights now. That's a real change for women in J&K. But I wish the government would talk more about local employment and not just competitive exams.
From an outsider's perspective, this seems like positive development. Equal citizenship for all regions makes sense. Hoping to visit Kashmir soon to see the changes firsthand.
Article 370 was keeping Kashmiris separate for too long. Now they feel like true Indians. The PoJK resolution is also important - my grandfather always said that region was unfairly taken.
I'm happy about the aspirational change, but what about the internet shutdowns and restrictions before 2019? Development shouldn't come at the cost of basic freedoms. Need balanced view.
Jitendra Singh ji is absolutely right! The change in mindset is visible even in our local news - Kashmiri students winning medals, cracking IITs, becoming entrepreneurs. This is what true integration looks like.
Interesting to see the government's confidence about PoJK. But isn't it a bit premature to talk about re-integration when the region is under de facto Pakistani control? Let's first stabilize the situation in Jammu and Kashmir fully.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.