JAMMU: MLA Jammu East Yudhvir Sethi on Saturday delivered a strong and wide-ranging address in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, declaring that Article 370 is “dead and buried” and will never return under any circumstances.
Terming the abrogation of Article 370 as a historic and irreversible decision, Sethi asserted that the political future of Jammu and Kashmir is firmly aligned with national integration and development.
Speaking during the Assembly proceedings, Yudhvir Sethi said, “Article 370 is over. It will not come back under any circumstances. The day is not far away when a BJP Chief Minister will be sitting in this Assembly.”
His remarks drew attention across the House, as he linked the political transformation of Jammu and Kashmir with peace, development, and democratic empowerment.
The MLA said that the abrogation of Article 370 had weakened the ecosystem of terrorism, stating that the provision had long acted as a shield for terrorists and separatist forces.
He noted a visible decline in incidents of stone pelting (patharbaazi), attributing the improvement in the law-and-order situation to firm policies of the central government. “The reduction in stone pelting incidents clearly shows that misguided youth are now moving away from violence and towards constructive paths,” he said.
Highlighting the approach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sethi remarked that the Prime Minister chose dialogue with the youth of Jammu and Kashmir rather than engaging with Pakistan.
“Modi ji did not hold dialogue with Pakistan; instead, he opened channels of dialogue with the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. This has brought confidence, opportunities, and a sense of belonging among the younger generation,” he said.
Yudhvir Sethi credited the Modi government’s policies for accelerating development across the Union Territory. He said that major improvements in infrastructure, connectivity, healthcare, and education have been possible only because of decisive governance after August 5, 2019. According to him, Jammu and Kashmir is now witnessing development at par with other progressive regions of the country.
The MLA also underlined the historical context of Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to India. He said that India’s freedom fighters and national leadership safeguarded Jammu and Kashmir from falling into Pakistan’s hands.
“Some people still behave as if Jammu and Kashmir is their personal property or jagir. They must remember that this land is an integral part of India, protected by sacrifices of freedom fighters and patriots,” he asserted.
“Dr. B. R. Ambedkar had clearly expressed his principled stand on constitutional equality when he wrote to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951, stating that he did not support the idea of a separate or special Constitution for any one region,” Yudhvir said while hitting out at Ruling Party for upholding two constitutions, two flags, two prime ministers.
Yudhvir asserted that a single nation cannot have multiple constitutions, flags, or heads of state.
Yudhvir said Dr. B. R. Ambedkar firmly believed that one nation must be governed by one Constitution to ensure equality, unity, and justice for all citizens.
“Dr. Ambedkar was of the view that granting a separate constitutional arrangement would weaken national integration and create permanent divisions within the country. When his views were not accepted and his concerns on constitutional and social issues were repeatedly ignored, he chose to resign from the Union Cabinet in 1951, demonstrating his integrity and commitment to democratic principles,” Sethi said adding that his stand reflected his lifelong belief that true democracy can survive only when all citizens are governed by the same laws, with equal rights and responsibilities.
Appreciating the surge in tourism after the abrogation of Article 370, Sethi said that record tourist footfall has boosted the local economy and created new livelihood opportunities. He said peace, improved security, and better infrastructure have restored global and national confidence in Jammu and Kashmir as a tourist destination.
Concluding his speech, Yudhvir Sethi reaffirmed that the journey of Jammu and Kashmir is now firmly rooted in peace, progress, and nationalism, and that the era of ambiguity and separatism has decisively ended.
