Hailing the Supreme Court (SC) verdict upholding the abrogation of Article 370, Mohammad Ashraf Azad from Budgam, considered the first Muslim leader from the Valley to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and who even hosted PM Narendra Modi at his home, in an exclusive conversation with News18, said that he has full faith that “Modiji and Home Minister Amit Shah will restore the statehood”.
“When the government abrogated Article 370 on August 5, 2019, I had congratulated the government. Now, I congratulate the SC as the Article has only harmed the youth of the region. The politicians have misused it for their benefit. I have full faith in PM Modiji and Home Minister Amit Shahji that we will get statehood and our youths will have a bright future,” he said.
When asked how the Valley reacted to the decision, Azad said, “On August 5, 2019, when the Article was abrogated, there was no violence. The same was the case today. The people who used to cause violence earlier are the ones expressing their unhappiness today.”
Ahead of the impending polls in the region, Azad also said, “I will fight on a BJP ticket and will also win.”
Today’s Supreme Court verdict on the abrogation of Article 370 is historic and constitutionally upholds the decision taken by the Parliament of India on 5th August 2019; it is a resounding declaration of hope, progress and unity for our sisters and brothers in Jammu, Kashmir and…— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 11, 2023
ON JOINING THE BJP
Azad, who went against the tide in the 1990s to join the BJP, explains his rationale. “I first met BJP leaders in 1992, when they came for a Tiranga Yatra in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk. Hearing them, I realized that if Kashmir has to remain the paradise that it is, I have to join hands with the party. They deliver what they promise. When I joined the BJP in 1992, I knew that Article 370 in J&K would be abrogated,” he said.
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“The politicians who have formed governments so far have misused the youth. Their families are doing well, but youths have died. They have properties in London, Jammu and Delhi, while youth have no jobs. They have used the grants from the governments to build their own houses.”
ON MODI’S STAY AT HIS HOME
“After the abrogation, I congratulated the Kashmiri youth on August 9, 2019. I also met PM Modi. He knows I am an Indian soldier who is willing to do his bit for the region,” said Ashraf.
Azad had hosted Modi at his house in Hakarmulla village of Budgam for many days in 1993. According to Azad, Modi didn’t eat meat, fish or chicken and took only dal and roti during his stay.
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Azad calls himself one of the “few friends from Kashmir” of the PM. According to the leader, during his stay, Modi had travelled to almost every district in Kashmir.
CHANGE AFTER THE ABROGATION
According to Azad, after the abrogation of the Article, stone-throwing, protests and bandhs have stopped. “Education is the focus. Development is happening. Municipal and local body raj is seen. People get jobs.”
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“Earlier, the main business was to loot India and help Pakistan. Saeed Salauddin and I were from the same village. He went to Pak and joined terror activities. I came here and became a leader. When Rajnath Singh was the Home Minister, I had written to him that Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) should be returned to India. The people there want it.”
According to Azad, in Pakistan, the poor are being exploited by the politicians and army. “Pakistanis should oust such politicians. They should tell the army to protect people and not interfere in the affairs of the state.”
Source: News18