Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kashmir four years after the cancellation of autonomy (2019). He also gave a speech in front of a large gathering. He reached there as part of election campaign on Thursday. Modi attended the rally at the jam-packed Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar in the state. At that time, the entire area was covered with a blanket of strict security. Along with the public, thousands of police and paramilitary officers gathered for the rally. He went there for the first time after 2019 due to the withdrawal of special status. The Hindu.

During his speech in Kashmir, Modi announced peace and development of the region. Said, ‘I don’t have the words to express this feeling of being able to come to heaven. I am told that 100,000 people from 285 blocks have joined us. I would like to thank the people of Jammu and Kashmir. This is the new Jammu and Kashmir for which we have been waiting for decades.” He then added that the state is finally ‘breathing freely’ despite allegations of repression. Bringing up the issue of withdrawal of special status, he further said, ‘Kashmir is touching a new height of progress and prosperity after the abrogation of Article 370. The natives are able to breathe freely. For decades, the Congress and its allies have misled the people of Jammu and Kashmir about Article 370.’

The Prime Minister then remarked that he considers Kashmir as his ‘family’. Addressing the people of Kashmir, Modi further said, “Today I have the opportunity to inaugurate several development projects related to tourism. We aim to empower development, tourism potential, empower farmers and lead the youth of Jammu and Kashmir.

The way to build a better Jammu and Kashmir will come out from here. Jammu and Kashmir is not just a region, it is the head of India. Developing Jammu and Kashmir will be given priority under the Developed India project. Modi also commented that six projects have been dedicated to the country under the Swadesh Darshan scheme. He also said that the next phase of the Swadesh Darshan project has also been launched. About 30 projects have been started under it for Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country.