Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed a rally in Jammu and kashmir's Rajouri district on Tuesday and said abrogation of article 370 has helped locals, particularly Dalits and backwards living in the hills. "Would it have been possible to get tribal reservation if Articles 370 & 35A were not removed? With their removal now, minorities, Dalits, tribals & Paharis will get their rights," said the minister at the public rally, as reported by ANI.
"After the abrogation of 370A, the process for reservation has been cleared. Justice Sharma's commission has sent the report and recommended reservation for Gujjar, Bakarwal and Pahari communities and it will be given soon," Shah added.
He also took a jibe at the opposition parties for their stance on abrogation of article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir.
"Today's rally in Jammu and Kashmir, slogans of 'Modi, Modi', all of these are answers for those who used to say that if Article 370 is removed, there will be a fire in Jammu and Kashmir, rivers of blood will flow," said Shah as soon as he stepped on to the stage and began his address, reported news agency ANI.
He further highlighted how the region was ruled by people belonging to three particular families and the abrogation has now helped 30,000 people get elected to panchayats and district councils.
"For 70 years, Jammu and Kashmir was ruled by three families, democracy was built only within their families. Did all of you ever get the right of Gram Panchayat, Tehsil Panchayat, and Zilla Panchayat? Three families had removed the meaning of democracy, Jamhooriyat only to rule for generations," said Shah.
He also spoke about his government's commitment of prioritising development in Jammu and Kashmir and highlighted how instances of stone pelting in the valley has come down by empowering the youth of the region.
"Earlier, news of stone pelting used to come from Jammu and Kashmir. Today there is no news of stone pelting. Modi ji has worked to empower the youth of Jammu and Kashmir," said Shah during the rally, as reported by ANI.