New Delhi: Bhimrao Ambedkar, the architect of Indian Constitution, had declined to draft the now nullified Article 370 that gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar said Thursday.
“Personally, for the last 20 years, I had been advocating abrogation of Article 35A & 370. These were temporary provisions in our Constitution but lasted for 70 years. We are happy it’s not there now,” Dhankhar said, addressing the special convocation of University of Jammu, in Jammu city.
The path of remarkable growth & development trajectory, that J&K has charted following abrogation of Article 370 & 35-A is a testament to the vision of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, who gave his life for it.
Region's integration into the national mainstream has paved way for… pic.twitter.com/HTdb5C0eFN
— Vice President of India (@VPIndia) June 22, 2023
“And the slogan that Syama Prasad Mookerjee gave, ‘Ek desh mein do vidhan, do nishan, do pradhan nahi chalenge’. Ab nahi chalte hain. (Two PMs, two Constitutions and two flags in one country are not acceptable. Now they are not there anymore)’. The path of remarkable growth and development that J&K has embarked on after the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A in August 2019 is a testament to the foresight of Mookerjee who gave his life for it,” he said.
The Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder had died in detention in Srinagar in 1953 after he entered the erstwhile state without obtaining a permit. One of the key issues flagged by Mookerjee was a separate flag of the erstwhile state.
The region’s “integration into the national mainstream” has paved the way for investment, development and improved governance, Dhankhar said in his first visit to the Union Territory after becoming the vice-president in August 2022.
Calling the G-20 tourism meeting which Srinagar hosted in May a success, he said the world has vigorously enjoyed it. “It’s a moment of pride for us,” the vice-president added.
“In this region, we now have a prevalence of harmonious atmosphere that was never there. It is the greatest homage to Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who laid down his life for building a strong and united India,” Dhankhar said on the eve of the 70th death anniversary of Mookerjee.
“He had died as a detainee in a Srinagar jail on this (23rd June) day in 1953. He died within days of being arrested at Lakhanpur (border). Why? He challenged saying, ‘When India is a country, why would I suffer restriction?’ He ventured in the true spirit for constitutionalism and was detained. We have realised his dream. And now Indians can travel freely in their own country and in this part,” the vice-president added.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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