Jammu and Kashmir is the crown of India and its development is the government’s top

priority, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. He was addressing a public
rally of nearly two lakh people in Srinagar’s Bakshi Stadium during his first visit to the
region after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.

Equal rights and equal opportunities for everyone post abrogation of Article 370 :
Prime Minister

The Prime Minister began his address by saying mai yaha dil jeetne aya hun (he was in
Srinagar to win people’s hearts). He stressed how the abrogation of Article 370 had
allowed the youth of the region to showcase their talents and make complete use of
various central government schemes to fulfill their dreams. He highlighted how he was
able to launch central projects for the region for the first time.
“This freedom from restrictions has come after the removal of Article 370. For decades,
for their own political gains, Congress and its allies misled the people of Jammu &
Kashmir in the name of 370. They also misled the country. The region was kept in

chains for the benefit of select families. Today, there is no 370, hence the talent of the
youth of Jammu & Kashmir is fully respected and getting new opportunities. Today,
there are equal rights and equal opportunities for everyone here,” said Narendra Modi in
his address today.
Taking a swipe at the previous governments led by the Jammu and Kashmir National
Conference and the Congress, he declared that they focused on parivarvaad (dynasty)
politics and encouraged corruption. He highlighted how the central government had
taken several steps to revive the Jammu and Kashmir Bank that had almost sunk
causing major losses to local people.
“Jammu & Kashmir has been a huge victim of parivarvaad and corruption. The previous
governments here had left no stone unturned to ruin our Jammu & Kashmir Bank by
filling the bank with their own relatives. Due to gross mismanagement, the bank had
incurred so much loss that all of you were in danger of losing thousands of crores of
rupees,” he said.
He explained how the government was trying to boost tourism in the area with the
‘Chalo India’ initiative, adding that 40 fresh spots had been identified which will be
developed for tourists to visit. He also urged Indians across the globe to visit India.
People should come to host their wedding ceremonies in Jammu & Kashmir:
Prime Minister
“Now, my next mission is ‘Wed in India’. People should come to Jammu & Kashmir to
host their weddings. The world has seen how wonderfully G20 was organised in Jammu
and Kashmir. There was a time when people would ask, who will go to Jammu &
Kashmir as a tourist? Today, tourism in the union territory is breaking all the records. In
2023, more than 2 crore tourists have come here,” he said.
He said the government was working towards the development of the union territory.
Highlighting the achievements of several young people of the region in different sectors,
including business, agriculture, and sports, he was optimistic about a bright future of the
youth in Jammu & Kashmir.
During his speech in the Kashmir valley ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at the Opposition for its recent “Modi has no

family” remark. He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir were his family, and he
would do everything to ensure prosperity of the region.
The Prime Minister ended his speech by wishing people for the upcoming Shivratri and
Ramadan festivities and assuring people of tangible development. His visit has come
ahead of the forthcoming general elections in the country.
Taking part in the ‘Viksit Bharat, Viksit Jammu Kashmir’ programme, he unveiled several
development projects worth more than INR 6,400 crore. He also distributed offer letters
to new government recruits.
The Prime Minister interacted with local entrepreneurs, who detailed him about the help
they have got from the Centre on their journey.
Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha welcomed Narendra Modi.
He said, “On behalf of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, I welcome Prime Minister
Modi to Srinagar. In the last 10 years, the development of Jammu and Kashmir has
been Prime Minister Modi’s priority. Today, the union territory is shining with pride. For
the last three decades, the valley of Kashmir was bled to death by terrorism and
injustice. Today, the flag of development and peace is flying high here under your
leadership.”
According to BJP sources, about 2 lakh people had gathered the Bakshi Stadium to
listen to Narendra Modi today, carrying placards and cut-outs. They were seen cheering
and raising slogans.
After landing at Srinagar airport on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi then flew to
Badamibagh Cantonment, the headquarters of the Army’s 15 or Chinar Corps, as per
officials. At the Badamibagh Cantonment, he laid a wreath at the War Memorial and
paid his tribute to the fallen soldiers. The Prime Minister then drove to Bakshi Stadium
via Gupkar and Zero Bridge in a cavalcade, they informed.