New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the lives of people in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have witnessed wide-ranging transformation, with expansion of infrastructure and growth in opportunities in education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and sports sectors.
On the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, Modi said the Centre remains committed to the development of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and to ensuring that every citizen has the opportunity to “dream big, achieve and contribute” to the making of a Viksit Bharat.
He said infrastructure in the two Union Territories has expanded, while opportunities in areas such as education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and sports have grown.
Be it women or marginalised communities, those who were denied their basic constitutional rights for decades have been empowered thanks to the full application of the Constitution of India, Modi added.
In a post on X, the prime minister said, “Seven years ago, on this day, Articles 370 and 35(A) became history, marking a decisive new chapter in the journey of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh…”
“We reaffirm our commitment to the progress of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh and to ensure that every citizen has the opportunity to dream big, achieve and contribute to the making of a Viksit Bharat,” he added.
PM Modi said “August 5 this year assumes even greater significance as this is the year the nation commemorates the 125th birth anniversary of Syama Prasad Mookerjee”.
“His lifelong commitment to national unity continues to inspire generations. What he envisioned decades ago found historic fulfilment on 5th August 2019,” he said.
Mookerjee was the founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the precursor of ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. He had fought for full integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India by scrapping Article 370.
Born on July 6, 1901, Mookerjee died under detention on June 23, 1953 in Srinagar and on August 5, 2019, the BJP-led Centre abrogated Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and the erstwhile state was bifurcated into two union territories — Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the seventh anniversary of the abrogation, saying the move had heralded “a new era of peace, progress and equal opportunity” in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
“As we also commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, we salute his unwavering commitment to India’s unity, a vision that found historic fulfilment on 5th August 2019,” Singh said in a post on X.
He said India remained committed to building “a prosperous Jammu and Kashmir, a thriving Ladakh and a Viksit Bharat”.
Terror incidents down by 95% in J&K since Art 370 abrogation: Centre
The Union government on Wednesday said Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a nearly 95 per cent decline in terror incidents since the abrogation of Article 370, alongside significant gains in infrastructure, tourism, connectivity and socio-economic development over the past seven years.
In a statement, the government said terror-related incidents had fallen from 228 in 2018 to 12 in 2025, describing the improvement in the security situation as one of the key outcomes of the decision.
“The restoration of peace had enabled normal life to flourish as Valley has witnessed no organised shutdowns from 2023 to April 2026, allowing educational institutions, businesses and public services to function without prolonged disruptions,” said the statement.
Highlighting economic and development indicators, the statement said development projects worth around Rs 80,000 crore are being implemented across Jammu and Kashmir, while more than 9.8 lakh people have become self-reliant through various livelihood and employment initiatives.
It said the Union Territory recorded more than 2.3 crore tourist arrivals in 2024, the highest ever, attributing the surge to improved connectivity, enhanced infrastructure and a better security environment.
It said the introduction of Vande Bharat trains and full railway electrification had provided faster, all-weather rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country.
The statement said AIIMS Jammu had strengthened access to advanced healthcare and medical education in the region.
On the legislative front, the government said nearly 890 central laws now apply to Jammu and Kashmir, bringing the Union Territory under the same constitutional framework as the rest of the country.
The government highlighted what it described as growing global recognition for Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural heritage, saying Srinagar had earned the titles of UNESCO Creative City and World Craft City, while 18 traditional Kashmiri crafts had received Geographical Indication (GI) tags.
Haven’t seen protests; discriminatory system ended in 2019: LG on Article 370 abrogation
Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha on Wednesday dismissed the protests held by NC and PDP for the restoration of special status to the Union territory, saying he “did not see” any demonstrations.
“I did not see any (protest). If I see, I will talk to you (about it),” the LG told a reporter when asked about protests by the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Sinha said August 5, 2019 — the date marking the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A — ended the “discriminatory system” in Jammu and Kashmir.
“This day, I believe, is also important because it has a great historical significance in ending the discriminatory system,” he said.
The LG distributed appointment letters to the next of kin of terror victims.
“Today marks a momentous occasion for Jammu & Kashmir. My heartfelt tribute to the innocent civilians martyred by terrorists, and I salute the families who, after decades of anguish and wait, now hold appointment letters that restore dignity and livelihood,” the LG said in a post on X later.
He said, “We are absolutely resolved to dismantle the terror network, to bring its perpetrators and enablers to justice and to secure for every citizen of UT a life of peace, equality and hope”.
“Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, the shadows of discrimination lifted in 2019, ushering in a new era of social justice and inclusive development. Today, Jammu Kashmir is advancing with renewed confidence, and all-around development is driving peace and prosperity,” Sinha said. (PTI)
