Amit Shah Declares Article 370 a “Closed Chapter” at BJP Manifesto Launch for J&K Elections

Jammu/Panjab Post
In a decisive statement during the launch of the BJP’s manifesto for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah firmly declared that Article 370 has become a “closed chapter” and will not be reinstated. This announcement was made during a press conference in Jammu on Friday, as Shah detailed the BJP’s vision for the upcoming polls.
The manifesto release marked the start of the BJP’s campaign for the Assembly elections, set to take place in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1. This election is significant as it follows the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370 in August 2019 and its reorganization into two Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Shah emphasized the marked improvement in security over the past decade, citing a dramatic reduction in terror-related incidents and stone-pelting events. He highlighted that the number of such incidents has dropped significantly from 7,217 between 2004 and 2014 to just 2,272 from 2014 to 2024—a reduction of 70 percent. Furthermore, civilian casualties have decreased by 80 percent, and there have been no incidents of stone-pelting since August 2019.
Addressing the Congress-National Conference alliance, Shah criticized the partnership and questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi about his party’s support for the NC’s agenda. He urged voters to support the BJP to ensure continued progress and stability.
Shah also took aim at previous governments, accusing them of appeasing separatist elements. He claimed that the abrogation of Article 370 has led to a resurgence in peace and development in the region, contrasting this with the earlier era of separatist influence and government concessions.
The Home Minister praised recent advancements, including a resurgence in tourism, with record numbers participating in the Amarnath Yatra and Vaishno Devi pilgrimage. He also condemned any attempts to reverse the reservation policies established for various communities post-Article 370.
Reiterating the BJP’s commitment to Jammu and Kashmir, Shah spoke of the party’s historical dedication to integrating the region into India. He lauded the BJP’s efforts in restoring grassroots democracy through local elections, citing the high voter turnout as evidence of the public’s support for democratic processes.
In closing, Shah reaffirmed that the BJP, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of India.