(PTI)
Paying glowing tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on National Unity Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday defended the abrogation of Article 370, saying the special status provisions only generated terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
Attending a function at the Statue of Unity here on the occasion of Patel’s 144th birth anniversary, Modi led the gathering in taking the `national unity pledge’. “The new system in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh is not meant to draw a line on the land (to draw a boundary) but to build a strong link of trust,” the prime minister said, apparently referring to the bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories.
Inspired by Patel, his government is working for “emotional, economic and constitutional integration” of the country, without which it would be difficult to imagine a powerful India in the 21st century, he said.In a swipe at Pakistan, he said those “who cannot win wars” against India are trying to destroy its unity.
“The country took the decision of abrogation of Article 370, which had only given separatism and terrorism to that state,” Modi said.”Over 40,000 people lost their lives in three decades of terrorism,” he said, adding that it was Patel’s inspiration which made him take the decision to abrogate Article 370, and he dedicates the decision “at the feet of” the first home minister of the country.
