Article 370 move good for long-term stability in J&K: US Congressman lauds Modi govt

A US Congressman has praised PM Modi's government over the Article 370 move terming it a needed decision for the long-term stability of the region.

The representative for North Carolina's 2nd Congressional district, George Holding said, "As we all have seen, the Indian parliament passed legislation last month changing the status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. They modified provisions that were an obstacle to economic development and promoted a sense of separatism."

"Up until recently, Kashmir had been governed by Article 370, which was an outdated provision of law that the Indian constitution recognised as 'temporary'. Article 370 might have worked well for those with political connections but it denied economic opportunities for the people," he added.

Holding applauded Modi government's decision on Article 370 saying Jammu and Kashmir deserve better and such a move would be good for long-term stability.

Also Read: J&K, Ladakh officially become two new UTs: What you need to know

He also talked about terror groups based in Pakistan who indulged in cross-border terrorism during the past decades, due to which thousands of people have lost their lives.

Holding added that the change in the status of Jammu and Kashmir was passed by 2/3rd majority in the Parliament which signifies that there was consensus and need for this reform.

He slammed Pakistani based terror groups who are threatening people in J&K to venture out and engaging in cross-border terrorism.

The move made by the Modi government was needed for the long-term stability of the region and this should be applauded, Holding concluded.

On August 5, the Narendra Modi government made the monumental decision to change the status of Jammu and Kashmir. Through a Presidential Order, the government declared that Article 370 would cease to be operative, and specifically overrode a previous order that made Article 35A a part of the Constitution of India, thereby ending the special status accorded to the region.

Incidentally, the new UTs have come into existence on the National Unity Day, marked as the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first home minister and freedom fighter.