Prosperity in Kashmir after abrogation of Article 370: Congress's Salman Khurshid

Congress veteran Salman Khurshid, while talking about the abrogation of Article 370, has said that the revocation of the provision led to prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir and eliminated the long-standing problem of separatism.

Addressing civil society members in Indonesia, where he is travelling as part of an Indian delegation on global Operation Sindoor outreach, Khurshid said, "Kashmir had a major problem for a long time. Much of that was reflected in the thinking of the government in an Article called 370 of the Constitution which somehow gave an impression that it was separate from the rest of the country. But Article 370 was abrogated and finally put to an end."

The former External Affairs Minister added that after the abrogation, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed an election with 65 per cent turnout.

"There is an elected government in Jammu and Kashmir today and therefore for people to want to undo everything that has happened, the prosperity that has come to Kashmir, it is unfortunate. It will give a setback to anyone. As you know, nobody can be told to give up a part of their sovereignty, give up a part of their country or family. Kashmir and we are family and no one can break up our family, our home. That is the only message we are giving."

"And the limited exercise we need to do to ensure our family remains safe is what we did for four days (Operation Sindoor) and we gave a message to Pakistan not to indulge in any misadventure. You will not succeed. I hope we have been able to send that message," said Khurshid.

Earlier, after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, Khurshid had said the provision paved the way for J&K to remain in India and it was a bond not a barrier.

"The state was not just its land or people. It was an idea within the idea of India," Khurshid had said in 2019.

His position, clearly changed now, was reflected in his remarks in Indonesia.