Bengaluru:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the most difficult decision of Articles 370 and 35A abrogation. 

For several decades the Articles had isolated the then state, not enabling them to amalgamate with India wholesomely. 

Now as Kashmir limps back to normalcy, Union home minister Amit Shah, while inaugurating the Vande Bharat Express, took it as an opportunity to reiterate the government’s commitment to help Kashmir in every possible way. 

He said, "Today Kashmir is free of Article 370 and Section 35A and has become like every other state of India. Article 370 was not only disturbing the unity and integrity of India but also coming in between the development of Kashmir."

The home minister also expressed hope that Kashmir would be the most successful state in the next 10 years. 

"And I believe that after Article 370 gets removed in Kashmir, we would be successful in completely eliminating the thoughts of terrorists and terrorism. There were many barriers in the development of Kashmir which have now been removed and I feel that in 10 years, Kashmir will be the most successful state."

The home minister also said that everyone wanted the abrogation to take place. 

"Someone mentioned that PM Modi abrogated Article 370 and made Kashmir an integral part of India. That is correct. Every Indian wanted Article 370 to be revoked. Under the leadership of the PM, the cabinet decided to revoke Article 370 on August 5. On August 5 and 6 the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha were inspired by the PM and today Article 370 has become a part of history.”

A word on the Delhi-Katra route

The first commercial run of the Delhi-Katra route of Vande Bharat Express will be on October. It will cut down the travel time between Delhi and Katra, the last station on the way to Vaishno Devi temple, to eight hours from the current 12 hours.