Narendra Modi made a speech in Srinagar city during his first visit to the region since the federal government’s decision to revoke the semi-autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir.
The speech gains significance as it comes in the run-up to the 2024 general elections that are due to take place in April and May.
Although Modi did not mention the elections, several BJP politicians termed his visit as a cornerstone of his 2024 election campaign.
“Today, after seeing you, I can say that I have succeeded in winning the hearts of Kashmiri people. But I won’t stop here, my efforts will continue,” said Modi in his address at Srinagar’s Bakshi stadium.
Modi mentioned several policies his government has introduced over the years for the country and especially for Kashmir.
“J&K is not any a simple part of the country. It is India’s pride, and nobody can stop its journey towards touching new heights of development,” he said.
Modi also claimed that Kashmir has benefited since his government abrogated article 370, the provision of the Indian constitution that gave J&K special status.
The Modi government revoked the region’s semi-autonomous status in August 2019 despite protests from regional political parties and other opposition groups.
The prime minister mentioned his opponents in his speech without specifying any political party and accused them of exploiting Kashmir through article 370.
“There was a time when developmental schemes were implemented in the rest of the country but not here. Time has taken a new turn,” said Modi.
He also denounced dynastic politics of a few families who used article 370 to keep the local population from progressing.
“A few political parties used article 370 for their own political benefits but that’s over now,” he said.
Modi likewise mentioned that his government is encouraging foreigners and non-resident Indians not to travel to other countries but, “Instead, we are telling them visit India. Kashmir will benefit from this,” said Modi.
Modi also mentioned he is personally promoting the concept of “Wed in India” through which people can have weddings in tourist destinations across India and in Kashmir as well.
Security Amplified Across Kashmir
The local administration increased the deployment of the police and paramilitary forces across Kashmir for Modi's visit, but special attention was paid to Srinagar where his speech was delivered.
All the arterial routes leading to the venue were closed off and multiple checkpoints were set up across Srinagar to monitor the movement of the local population.
As the region has been marred with more than three-decade-long anti-India insurgency, the security establishment was on high alert for over a week to counter any untoward or militant activity.
“Srinagar city has been declared as a "temporary red zone" for the operation of drones and quadcopters, as per provisions of Rule 24(2) of Drone Rules, 2021 with immediate effect,” read a Kashmir police statement.
Furthermore, the administration ran an extensive background check on media and thousands of government employees attending the speech as well as thorough physical checks of locals who were called to the venue.
Importance of Visit
Modi’s visit to Kashmir has been touted as the start of his 2024 election campaign by many from the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kashmir.
The BJP will field candidates from three seats in Kashmir, two in Jammu and one in Ladakh. Senior BJP members told Sputnik this week the party is confident of winning Jammu and Ladakh and were hopeful to perform well in Kashmir where the party has never won a seat.
Banking on the recent reservations in government jobs and educational institutions the federal government granted to socially and economically backward communities, the BJP sees a chance of winning one seat in Kashmir. Modi made a special mention about the recent reservations as well.
One BJP politician told Sputnik that Modi's visit will boost the morale of party cadres who will be taking forward the PM's message for Kashmir.