𝐂𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐣𝐨𝐲'𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭: 𝟖𝟎𝟎 𝐔𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬, 𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟐𝟑 𝐈𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝

Speaking at a public rally in Srinagar's Bakshi Stadium on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the opposition, including the Congress, accusing certain families of misleading both the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the nation as a whole regarding the repealed Article 370. Under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, the central government revoked the provisions of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, leading to the division of the former state into the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

“For decades, the Congress and its allies misled the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the country for political gains in the name of Article 370. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are now aware of the truth that whether Jammu and Kashmir benefited from Article 370 or only a few families took advantage of it. The talent of Jammu and Kashmir is getting its due respect today as there is no Article 370 now.

Modi made his way to Srinagar to inaugurate a series of development initiatives valued at over ₹6,400 crore and speak at a public gathering. This marks Modi's inaugural visit to the Kashmir valley since the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019.

At Srinagar's Bakshi Stadium, Modi participated in the "Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir" program, where he unveiled numerous projects focusing on agriculture and tourism.

Modi revealed an array of development projects valued at over ₹6,400 crore during the 'Viksit Bharat, Viksit Jammu Kashmir' program held at the stadium.

Expressing his sentiments, Modi remarked, "The experience of being in this heavenly abode is indescribable... There was a time when laws applicable elsewhere in the country couldn't be enforced in Jammu and Kashmir. There was a time when schemes aimed at aiding the impoverished were implemented nationwide, yet our brothers and sisters in Jammu and Kashmir were excluded from these benefits. Now, witness how times have changed."

During the public gathering, he handed out appointment letters to nearly 1,000 newly hired government employees in Jammu and Kashmir and engaged with beneficiaries of various central schemes, including women achievers, farmers, and entrepreneurs.

Hundreds of BJP supporters, adorned in tricolored turbans, thronged the venue, posing a challenge for security personnel to manage the crowd. Authorities ensured tight security measures were in place, though there were no restrictions on public movement.

Normalcy prevailed across the Kashmir valley with most shops and businesses operating as usual.

Security arrangements were heightened along the route from Badamibagh Cantonment to Bakshi Stadium, adorned with tricolours, BJP flags, and welcoming hoardings for Modi. Stringent measures were taken to ensure the prime minister's visit proceeded without incident.

Large deployments of security personnel were stationed along Modi's routes in Srinagar, with barricades set up at strategic points.

Additionally, Modi inaugurated 43 projects aimed at enhancing pilgrimage and tourist destinations nationwide. He also launched 'Dekho Apna Desh People's Choice 2024', a pioneering initiative to gauge public opinion on tourism across the country.