Repealing Article 370, 35A shut gateway of terrorism in India: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said Article 370 and Article 35A were gateway of terrorism into Jammu and Kashmir which was closed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi by abrogating m. Shah also said Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's unfulfilled dream of integrating Jammu and Kashmir with rest of country was accomplished on August 5 when Article 370 and 35A were repealed.

"Article 370 and 35A were gateway of terrorism in India. Prime Minister Modi has closed this gate by repealing m," he said while flagging off a run to commemorate 144th birth anniversary of Patel here.

Shah, who moved resolution for abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A in both Houses of Parliament in August, said when India attained independence, re were more than 550 princely states and everyone thought that even though India got independence, country would be disintegrated.

RE | Indira Gandhi: PM Modi & Amit Shah pay hom on her death anniversary

At that time, Mahatma Gandhi h entrusted Patel task of integrating princely states into Union of India which he completed with distinction, he said. But one thing remained to be completed and that was complete integration of Jammu and Kashmir into Union of India, he said.

"Article 370 and 35A became a problem in this integration process and one touched on se subjects. unfulfilled dream of Patel was realised on August 5 when se two were repealed and full integration of Jammu and Kashmir with Union of India was completed," he said amidst applause of garing comprising several thousand people.

RE | Unity Run events to be flagged off by Amit Shah and Yogi ityanath

'Patel t given Bharat Ratna for many years'- Amit Shah 

Shah said decision to abrogate Article 370 and Article 35A was taken after Narendra Modi government got a massive mandate in 2019 general elections. home minister said for many years, Patel did t get respect he deserved, he was igred and re were even attempts to forget him.

Patel was t given Bharat Ratna for many years, his proper statue was t installed, r his portrait was allowed to be put up, he said. When Modi became Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shah said, he (Modi) started process of giving due hour to Patel.

Referring to 'Statue of Unity' of Patel located in Gujarat's Kevia, he said Modi sourced iron pieces from farmers, soil from every vill of Gujarat and water from various rivers to pay a humble tribute to man who unified India. He said map of India, as it is seen today, is because of efforts me by Patel to unify more than 550 princely states of country.

"A unified India came into existence due to Sardar Patel and we humbly remember him today", he said.

home minister also ministered a unity pledge to participants of run. People wearing white T-shirts bearing Patel's photo assembled at National Stium and India Gate roundabout here for run. In his dress, Shah also remembered former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as Thursday is her death anniversary.

Shah flagged off 'Run for Unity' in presence of Union ministers Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank', Hardeep Singh Puri, R K Singh, Kiren Rijiju and Union Home Secretary Ajay K Bhalla among ors.

RE | Priyanka Gandhi politicises Sardar Patel's legacy on birth anniversary

RE | PM Modi on Art 370: "Dedicate this historic decision to Sardar Patel"