Article 370 Decision Driven by National Interest, Not Politics, Says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has defended his government’s decision to revoke Article 370, which gave Jammu and Kashmir its special status, saying the move was about the nation and not about politics. Answering questions in New Delhi, he said Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh would now develop in line with the hopes and ambitions of the people who live there.

Why the government acted

The decision, among the most significant of his government’s first 75 days, has been welcomed by many and opposed by some. Asked why he expected the people of the region to back him, Modi described its critics as vested interests, political dynasties, terror sympathisers and some members of the Opposition, and said Indians of every political leaning had supported the steps. “This is about the nation, not politics,” he said.

He argued that Articles 370 and 35(A) had cut the region off for seven decades, denying citizens the benefits of development and proper ways to raise their incomes, while a few families and separatists gained. According to him, women, children, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes had suffered injustice. He said sectors such as BPOs, startups, food processing and tourism could now draw investment and create work for young people, and that education and skills would grow. He likened the two provisions to chains that had now been broken.

Modi challenged opponents to say how they would justify keeping the provisions, predicting they would have no answer, and accused them of resisting projects such as water supply schemes and railway lines meant for ordinary people.

Panchayats and elections

Asked whether Kashmiri voices would be heard, the Prime Minister cited the panchayat polls of November and December 2018, saying 35,000 sarpanches were chosen on a record 74% turnout with no poll violence, even though the main local parties showed little enthusiasm. He said he was saddened that the 73rd Amendment had not covered the state, noted that panchayats there had recently received more powers, and said he had asked the Governor to work towards block panchayat elections. He also praised the administration’s ‘Back to Village’ programme, under which officials went out to villages to resolve problems.

Modi said elections in the region would carry on and that its own people would represent it. He accused those who had treated power in Kashmir as a birthright of opposing a new, younger leadership, called their conduct in the 1987 elections suspect, and said removing Article 370 would make politicians more accountable.

See also: latest election news and profiles of political leaders.

Originally published on 14 August 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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