More Than Three-Fourths Of J-K Population Backed Abrogation Of Article 370: Rajnath Singh

Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said more than three-fourths of Jammu and Kashmir population was in favour of abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution that gave a special status to the state. Addressing a "Jan Jagran Sabha" (public awareness meet) organised by the BJP in Patna, where senior party leaders spoke on the Narendra Modi government's move to strip Jammu and Kashmir of its special status, Singh said that Article 370 was like a "cancer" which was bleeding the state.

Singh also warned Pakistan against "repeating mistakes of 1965 and 1971" even as he asserted that the neighbouring country ran the risk of getting "dismantled" on account of flagrant violation of human rights on its soil.

"The BJP had never softened its stance on Article 370, irrespective of whether it was at the helm or not. Its abrogation has proved that the party is honest and credible," Singh maintained.

The defence minister also cautioned the neighbouring country against promoting cross-border terrorism in the wake of developments in J&K.

"Talks with Pakistan will henceforth resume only after it stops promoting terrorism. And the country must keep in mind that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and discussion can only take place about Pak-occupied Kashmir," he added.