JAMMU: Alleging that development issues have been ignored in Jammu and Kashmir, Narendra Modi today slammed attempts to label it as a “beggar” and said its people would have benefited had efforts been made to make a “super” and not “separate” State.
“For 60 years they talked about separate State (autonomy) but what did people get? Nothing and there is no accountability also…. In the name of separate State, they encouraged separatism.
“It would have been better if they focused on creating a super State,” the BJP Prime Ministerial rally told a rally here.
Noting that there is respect for former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the hearts of people of the State, Modi recalled that he had told them that the mantra of “Insaniyat (humanity), Jammuriyat (democracy), Kashmiriyat” needs to be followed on Jammu and Kashmir.
“The rulers here developed a habit of begging before New Delhi. They know well that there will be no accountability fixed for the money they loot here,” he said
He further said “they have portrayed such a picture of J&K that it would never be self-relient…. They have labelled Jammu and Kashmir as a beggar but Jammu and Kashmir is not a beggar… They don’t want Jammu and Kashmir to be strong. They want it to be a beggar but the State will prove it is a better State and not a beggar State.”
“I have come to you to remove this bad name given to J&K. We have to move towards betterment in coming days,” he said.
“The Government has only one mantra, which is development for all. I am challenging those in power from this stage. Can’t an IIM be set up in Jammu and Kashmir?
“Why not a road to Kailash is laid through Leh? Nepal is reaping the benefits now. Why can’t J&K benefit?”
“J&K had been a popular venue for film shooting. Why didn’t the Indian Government focus on J&K during the 100th year of Indian cinema. There could be a film institute here. Can’t J&K be made an improved State by boosting the tourism and herbal medicine industry?”
“It would have been better had the rulers of J&K had dreamt of creating a super State instead of propagating the politics of separate State– there is a need of the time to decide whether you need a separate State or a super State”, Modi said.
Modi also hit out at what he called the “politics of discrimination”.
“Why has there been discrimination with Kargil when there is development in Srinagar and Jammu. There is discrimination with women, there is a discrimination with backwards, there is a discrimination with scheduled tribes regions. The politics of discrimination in Jammu and Kashmir has to end.
“I want to challenge those who are advocating secularism. Let them put to test my governance in the yardstick of secularism. If they have courage they should accept the truth.”
“Our mantra for governance is that Government has no religion. Government’s first religion is India. The country’s only religious text is the Constitution of India. Government’s only devotion is devotion towards India and only power the 125 crore people of the country.”
Referring to Sarabjit Singh and Chamel Singh, who were brutally assaulted and murdered in Pakistani prisons, he said the Centre is not bothered even when its own people are getting killed.
“The Centre is sleeping and it will continue to do so in 2014.”
Modi mentioned the names of Premlal Dogra, Maqbool Sherwani and other soldiers who fought against terrorists and enemies at the borders.
“Hari Singh’s good work was eclipsed by political motives. I salute King Hari Singh. He was a social reformer. He worked for women education and Dalit uplift.”
On a more personal note, Modi said he had a “very close relationship” with Jammu and Kashmir.
“Someone gave me a 25-year-old picture. It refreshed old memories,” he told the audience. (AGENCIES)
J&K should be super not separate State: Modi
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