Srinagar, Aug 29: Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda today lauded the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for their decisive actions that have brought peace and stability to Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking during his visit to Baramulla, Gowda emphasized the drastic improvement in the security situation, crediting the current central leadership headed by Narendra Modi for curbing terrorism and addressing the concerns of the common people.
“After Modi and Shah took charge, they have effectively curbed the terrorists and those who were creating problems. The common people are now happy and have finally found peace in Jammu and Kashmir,” Gowda said, reflecting on the transformation the region has undergone in recent years.
Gowda arrived in Baramulla by train, before proceeding towards Uri. From there, he was scheduled to visit Kaman Post, a symbolic location near the Line of Control.
He recalled his first visit to Kashmir in 1996, a time when the region was marred by violence and instability.
“That was my first visit to Kashmir. For nearly ten years before that, no Prime Minister had visited the region. All offices, including the SPG officials, advised me against going to Kashmir due to the threat to the life of the Prime Minister,” he shared. “But I overlooked their advice and came here. I gave instructions to then-Governor Krishna to allow all people, regardless of caste, to visit me. A lot of people came to meet me, voicing their grievances. They asked for loans to be waived because tourism had dried up, and they were in dire straits.”
Reflecting on the changes over the decades, Gowda noted the significant progress made under the Modi-Shah administration. “When Modi and Shah took over ten years ago, they decided to take tough action against terrorists. Now, there is no major threat in Kashmir, and people are feeling safe. The situation has improved a lot,” he remarked.
Gowda also touched upon the political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir, noting the alliances and roles played by various leaders. “Even Mufti allied with the BJP, and Dr. Farooq Abdullah was a minister during Vajpayee’s regime, while his son was the Chief Minister. But it is under Modi and Shah that real change has been brought about,” he said.
He acknowledged that while the situation in Jammu still has challenges, he expressed confidence that the government led by Prime Minister Modi would continue to address these issues and improve the situation further. “The situation has improved significantly, and I am hopeful that they will tackle any remaining problems with the same resolve,” Gowda concluded. (With KINS inputs)
