Jammu,August 04 (Scoop News)-BJP Spokesperson and former Deputy Mayor of Jammu, Advocate Purnima Sharma, hailed the abrogation of Article 370 as a historic step that ensured constitutional equality, social justice and complete integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India.
Addressing a press conference flanked by BJP spokesperson Rajni Sethi at party headquarters, Purnima credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for demonstrating decisive leadership and political courage in taking the landmark decision on August 5, 2019.
“Prime Minister Modi fulfilled the commitment of one nation, one Constitution and one flag, while Amit Shah played a pivotal role in translating this vision into constitutional reality,” Sharma said.
She stated that the Constitution of India became fully applicable to Jammu and Kashmir, giving its citizens the same fundamental rights and constitutional safeguards available across the country.
Sharma said several progressive central laws relating to education, women’s safety, child protection, social justice, disability rights, transparency and accountability were extended or adapted to Jammu and Kashmir. She cited the Right to Education Act, SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, Juvenile Justice Act and POCSO Act among the important legal protections.
Highlighting women’s empowerment, she said laws concerning domestic violence, workplace sexual harassment, maternity benefits, property and succession now provide more uniform safeguards. SCs, STs, economically weaker sections and other marginalised communities also gained wider access to national protections, reservation provisions and welfare programmes, including EWS reservation.
Sharma said the application of anti-corruption laws strengthened administrative transparency and accountability, while uniformity in the judicial framework clarified the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and other constitutional institutions.
She added that the three-tier Panchayati Raj system strengthened grassroots democracy by providing greater participation to local representatives in planning, financial decision-making and development.
According to Sharma, national economic laws, including the Companies Act and Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, created a more uniform framework for investment, entrepreneurship and employment. Greater clarity in property and inheritance laws also strengthened the rights of women and other lawful heirs.
She said national welfare provisions for minorities, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups became more accessible.
Referring to the Supreme Court’s December 2023 judgment, Sharma said the Constitution Bench upheld the presidential measures that rendered Article 370 inoperative, confirming their constitutional validity.
BJP Spokesperson Rajni Sethi described August 5 as a turning point for women, children and marginalised communities.
“The Modi government removed constitutional barriers and ensured equal access to progressive national laws. This achievement reflects PM Modi’s determination and Amit Shah’s strategic leadership,” Sethi said.
Both leaders asserted that the decision strengthened the vision of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” and laid a firm foundation for peace, transparent governance, investment and inclusive development in Jammu and Kashmir.
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