SC Article 370 ruling not just a legal judgement but a beacon of hope, says PM Modi

A view of the Lal Chowk area on the eve of Supreme Court’s verdict on Article 370, in Srinagar on December 11, 2023 (Photo: PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra  Modi on December 11 said the Supreme Court verdict on the abrogation of Article 370 was "not just a legal judgement".

Terming it "a beacon of hope", the PM stated on X, "...It is a resounding declaration of hope, progress and unity for our sisters and brothers in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. The Court, in its profound wisdom, has fortified the very essence of unity that we, as Indians, hold dear and cherish above all else."

He also  assured the  people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh that the Centre's commitment of  fulfilling their dreams remains unwavering. "We are determined to ensure that the fruits of progress not only reach you but also extend their benefits to the most vulnerable and marginalised sections of our society who suffered due to Article 370," the PM wrote on X.

Also read: SC upholds abrogation of Article 370 in J&K

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also welcomed the verdict.  "On the 5th of August 2019, PM @narendramodi Ji took a visionary decision to abrogate #Article370. Since then peace and normalcy have returned to J&K," Shah wrote on X.  "Today, the Supreme Court’s verdict has proved that the decision to abrogate #Article370 was completely constitutional. "

External Affairs Minister  S Jaishankar also hailed the verdict.  "Today’s judgement portends a brighter future for our brothers and sisters in J&K and Ladakh. The Modi Government will continue its relentless efforts to bringing more growth and development for them," he posted on X.

Meanwhile, Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad termed the verdict "sad and unfortunate", but said "we have to accept it". The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said the people of the region are not happy with the verdict delivered by a five-judge bench of the apex court.

"Disappointed but not disheartened. The struggle will continue. It took the BJP decades to reach here. We are also prepared for the long haul," said National Conference leader Omar Abdullah.

Senior Congress leader and Maharaja Hari Singh's son Karan Singh, said, "A section of people in J&K who will not be happy with this judgment, my sincere advice is that they should accept the inevitable and they should accept the fact that now this has been done and the Supreme Court has upheld the action and therefore there's no point now unnecessarily hitting their head against the wall. Now my suggestion is that they should turn their energies towards fighting the next elections. That is where the people should now be motivated instead of developing any negativity..."

"We welcome this decision because we supported the removal of Article 370. We hope the J&K elections will be held at the earliest. Before elections, if PoK is included, then this exercise can be held in the entire Kashmir..."

Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray welcomed the verdict.  "We welcome this decision because we supported the removal of Article 370. We hope the J&K elections will be held at the earliest. Before elections, if PoK is included, then this exercise can be held in the entire Kashmir," he said.