We will stand by our decision on Article 370, citizenship law: Modi

Unaffected by nationwide protests and widespread criticism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (February 16) asserted his government stands firm and will remain so on its decisions of abrogating Article 370 of the Indian Constitution and the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act.

“Be it the scrapping of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir or the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the country waited for decisions on these for years,” the prime minister told a public meeting in Varanasi during a day-long visit to his Lok Sabha constituency.

“These decisions were necessary in the interest of the nation. Duniya bhar ke saarey dabawon ke bawjood, inn faislon par hum qayam hain, qayam rahengey (Despite pressure from all sides, we remain firm on the decisions and will continue to remain firm),” the prime minister said.

Provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution, which accorded special powers to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, were abrogated by the government in August last year. The prime minister’s tough talk assumed significance in view of protests against the CAA in various parts of the country.

Related news: Centre to handover 67-acre land acquired in Ayodhya to Ram Temple trust

Citing certain key decisions of his government, Modi also referred to the trust set up for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and asserted that it would work “rapidly”. “A trust has been formed for the construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya. This trust will work rapidly,” he said.

He said that after setting up of the trust, the work on the construction of ‘Ram dham’ will start with fast speed. The government had recently set up the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra on the Supreme Court’s directive to form a trust that can look into the construction and management of the temple.

The prime minister earlier launched or laid foundation of 50 projects worth ₹1,254 crore in Varanasi. He also flagged off through video link the IRCTC’s ‘Maha Kaal Express’, which will be the first overnight private train in the country to connect three Jyotirling pilgrimage centres of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, and Ujjain and Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh.

The prime minister also dedicated to the nation the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Memorial Centre and unveiled a 63-foot statue of the RSS ideologue — the tallest statue of the leader in the country.

“The soul of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay gives us encouragement. We are working for uplift of Dalits, deprived and others sections. And this is what Upadhyay’s ‘Antyoday’ says – to give all facilities to last beneficiary in the queue,” the prime minister said.

Related news: Modi gets Valentine’s Day invitation, ‘surprise gift’ planned

He said that in past few years, ₹25,000 crore worth developmental projects have either completed or were going on in fast speed in Varanasi. Roadway, highway, waterway and railway have been given top priority by the government and the Purvanchal Expressway work was going on at fast speed in Uttar Pradesh.

Modi also laid emphasis on better connectivity of heritage and religious sites, saying that tourism will be the main source of making the country $5 trillion economy. “Our behaviour as a citizen will decide direction of the country in future. Country is not made by governments only, but values of people residing here,” he said.

Soon after his arrival in Varanasi, Modi participated in the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of the Shri Jagadguru Vishwaradhya Gurukul and released the translated version of the Shri Siddhant Shikhamani Granth in 19 languages and its mobile application.

Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minster Yogi Adityanath and Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa were present on the occasion. The prime minister also inaugurated a 430-bed super-speciality government hospital here.

(With inputs from agencies)