Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Salman Khurshid has appreciated the cancellation of Article 370 during a diplomatic visit in Indonesia. He said that the move ended the long-standing separatism problem in Jammu and Kashmir, which led to peace and prosperity in the region. Addressing the Indonesian think tanks and academics, Khurshid said, “There was a big problem in Kashmir for a long time. Article 370 gave the perception that the region is different from the rest of the country. But in 2019 it was canceled and the problem was ended by canceling it.”
Khurshid, who is part of an all-party parliamentary delegation led by Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Jha, said that after the cancellation of Article 370, there has been remarkable progress in Jammu and Kashmir. He cited 65% voter participation in recent elections and the formation of an elected government. He said, “Elections were held with the participation of 65% of the voters. Today there is an elected government in Kashmir. The progress and prosperity that has come will not be appropriate to reverse it.”
This statement is different from the traditional opinion of the Congress, as in 2019 the party opposed the cancellation of Article 370. Khurshid said in 2019 that this article was a bond connecting Jammu and Kashmir to India. His remarks were made to present India’s anti -terrorism policy on a global platform under Operation Sindoor, with the delegation clarifying India’s position in Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan and Singapore.
This statement of Khurshid was appreciated by BJP leaders, who said that after Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir has become part of the development and democratic process.
