Article 370 Ruling Boosts 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' Vision, Says PM Modi

A day after the Supreme Court upheld the central government's decision to strip special status from Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcate it into union territories by abrogating Article 370 of the Constitution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed that the court's decision has "bolstered the essence of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat."

In his article published in The Hindu, PM Modi penned, "Through its ruling on December 11, the Supreme Court has fortified the essence of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat - it has reminded us that our unity and dedication to good governance define us."

The five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, affirmed the validity of the President's 2019 order to revoke Jammu and Kashmir's special status. The court emphasized that not every action of the Centre is subject to challenge, asserting its inability to rule on the government's order and affirming Jammu and Kashmir's integral position within India.

PM Modi highlighted, "The court's judgment has upheld India's sovereignty and integrity, a sentiment cherished by every Indian. The court rightly recognized that the decision made on August 5, 2019, aimed to strengthen constitutional integration, not disintegration."

Expressing concern about the country's lack of a definitive stance on fundamental matters, PM Modi pointed out the resulting confusion arising from this duality, citing Jammu and Kashmir as a significant casualty of such ambiguity. He lamented the missed opportunity at Independence to embark on a new path towards national unity, instead perpetuating a state of uncertainty, disregarding long-term national interests.

The Prime Minister firmly expressed, "I always believed that what occurred in Jammu and Kashmir was a profound betrayal - to our nation and its people."

Asserting a positive transformation in the northernmost region of India since 2019, PM Modi stated, "Presently, the aspirations of the people are not confined by past limitations but are future prospects. Development, democracy, and dignity have replaced disillusionment, disappointment, and despair."