‘Article 370 was temporary, had to go’
TDD Correspondent
Srinagar, (TDD): Union Home Minister Amit Shah today reiterated the historical and cultural integration of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh with India, citing 8,000-year-old texts as evidence of deep-rooted connection to the nation.
Speaking at the launch of the book “Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh: Through the Ages,” published by the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) in New Delhi, Shah said that Kashmir is not merely a part of India but an integral component of the country’s civilizational heritage.
The Home Minister referenced ancient granths (scriptures) to support his claim that Kashmir has been historically tied to India for millennia. He stressed that the region’s cultural identity is inseparable from India’s.
Shah also addressed the controversial Article 370, calling it a temporary provision that had to be abrogated. He emphasized that its removal has led to significant progress in the region, including a decline in separatism and terrorism, with the underlying ecosystem dismantled.
Highlighting the remarkable progress post-abrogation, Shah pointed to the expansion of rail connectivity and the construction of India’s longest tunnel as key milestones that symbolize the new era of peace and prosperity in Kashmir.
Praising the ICHR for its comprehensive research, Shah lauded the organization for countering separatist narratives and reaffirming Jammu and Kashmir’s place within India’s historical and spiritual framework.
“The abrogation of Article 370 has not only ensured peace and development but has also reasserted a historical truth—Kashmir is an inseparable part of India’s soul,” Shah concluded. (TDD)