Srinagar: In his first reaction to the Supreme Court’s upholding the constitutional validity of the Centre’s abrogating Article 370, the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, said on Tuesday that the ‘historic verdict’ will further the endeavour to take the Union Territory to the new heights of development, prosperity and peace.
“Both houses of Parliament approved the resolution to repeal Article 370 paving the way to truly integrate J&K with Indian Union (in August 2019). The move was for the benefit of the people of J&K. Now the Supreme Court has given its verdict and made it clear that what was done then was completely constitutional,” he said while speaking after unveiling a statute of General Zorawar Singh, a military general of Gulab Singh who extended the territories of the Dogra ruler’s kingdom by conquering Ladakh and Baltistan.
Mr. Sinha said, “I welcome the judgment which is bound to further strengthen the roots of unity and integrity of the nation and boost the efforts of the Centre and Union Territory administration to take J&K to new heights of development, prosperity and peace and deliver justice to the deprived sections.”
The Lt. Governor said, “The Central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation of a ‘New J&K’ on August 5, 2019, and the SC judgment has brought a new hope among the people and will further strengthen the roots of unity and integrity of the nation”.
Reiterating that J&K has witnessed many positive changes after the decisions taken on August 5, 2019, Mr. Sinha said that the SC verdict will create a new enthusiasm among the people and further the efforts of economic and social development of the Union Territory as envisioned by the Prime Minister “who released the people from the clutches that was Article 370.”
While paying tributes to the “great warrior” and his “military genius” on his death anniversary, Mr. Sinha announced the decision of the government to set up a chair in the memory of Gen. Singh in the University of Jammu. “The endeavour will inspire students and researchers to build a strong, prosperous J&K which was dreamt of by Gen. Zorawar Singh”, he said. He also attended the commemorative event organized by Gen. Zorawar Singh Memorial Educational and Charitable Trust, and J&K Ex-Services League and lauded their efforts to highlight the contribution of Gen. Singh in India's history.
The Lt. Governor reiterated the resolve of his administration to honour the “valour and sacrifice of immortal heroes of J&K”. He said, “History of great personalities like Gen. Zorawar Singh, Brig Rajinder Singh, Maqbool Sherwani will be taught to the students in schools of J&K. Their life, courage, conquest is a lesson about patriotism, discipline, self-confidence, and it will inspire students to achieve the goal of making India a Developed Nation.”
Mr. Sinha asked the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages to prepare a monograph on the life of Gen. Zorawar Singh in Tamil language. He said, “It is the duty of every citizen to uphold and protect the unity and integrity of the nation. Young generation must strive to become worthy heirs of great leaders who struggled and sacrificed to build a new destiny for the country. With those ideals, values, and civilizational strength we should focus on building a brighter future.”
