Alienation of J&K reduced after abrogation of Article 370: Balbir
26/05/2026
Jammu, May 26 (KIP)-BJP Spokesperson and former Vice Chairman Balbir Ram Rattan strongly countered the remarks of National Conference president Farooq Abdullah wherein he has urged Centre to abandon alienating policies towards Jammu and Kashmir.
Balbir reminded the NC chief that the real alienation in Jammu and Kashmir existed during the decades when dynastic political parties exploited Article 370 for their own interests while keeping common people deprived of development, transparency and equal constitutional rights.
Balbir said that after the abrogation of Article 370 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed political empowerment, rapid development, improved security and stronger integration with the rest of the country.
He said that those who ruled J&K for decades are uncomfortable because power has shifted from a few elite political families to common citizens and grassroots democratic institutions.
Balbir asserted that Panchayat, Block Development Council (BDC) and District Development Council (DDC) elections have strengthened democracy at the village level. Direct funding to Panchayats and active public participation in governance have reduced the gap between administration and the people.
Earlier, power remained confined to a few families, while ordinary citizens suffered neglect. Today democracy has reached every village and household.
Highlighting the developmental transformation after abrogation in August 2019, Balbir said that projects which remained pending for decades are now progressing rapidly. He referred to the expansion of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the Chenab Rail Bridge, improved railway connectivity, establishment of AIIMS and new medical colleges, besides expansion of road and digital infrastructure.
"Those talking about alienation should explain why such development was missing during their own rule", he remarked.
Balbir further said that record tourist arrivals, revival of hotels, houseboats and handicraft businesses, and successful hosting of international events like the G20 meeting in Srinagar clearly prove that confidence and normalcy have returned to Jammu and Kashmir.
If there was alienation, lakhs of tourists would not have been visiting J&K.
He also highlighted the decline in hartals, stone-pelting incidents and separatist-sponsored shutdowns, saying that the youth are now focusing on education, employment, entrepreneurship and startups.
Balbir said that Article 370 benefited only corrupt political elites, while poor people, women, Scheduled Tribes, refugees and backward communities were denied full constitutional benefits for decades.
The Modi government ended the politics of exploitation and replaced it with development, transparency, equal rights and national integration.