I-Day, Eid most peaceful in J&K this year in 3 decades: Jitendra Singh

Jammu and Kashmir witnessed its "most peaceful" Independence Day and Eid celebrations this year since militancy erupted in the state three decades ago, Union minister Jitendra Singh said on Friday, adding the festivities were earlier marred by "bloodshed" and violence".

Paying homage to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary, Singh said that some political parties and intellectuals were using the veteran's slogan 'Kashmiriyat, Jamhooriyat, Insaniyat' to slam the BJP and its government for scrapping provisions of Article 370.

"Even ordinary people in the Kashmir valley are happy over scrapping of Article 370, like people in Jammu and Ladakh. I can say with conviction that the Independence Day and Eid were most peaceful in the last 30 years when terrorism began in Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

The Lok Sabha MP from the state said the restrictions imposed in Jammu and Kashmir is "being exaggerated" by the people who were opposed to repealing Article 370.

"Nothing happened this year, while earlier Independence Day and Eid were marred by bloodshed and violence, and curfews continued for days. But, the issue of restrictions is being exaggerated by those who in their subconscious mind are affected by scrapping of Article 370."
"There is a class of intellectuals who would visit Kashmir for a few days, come back and write a book, become Kashmir experts and participate in debate on news channel programmes."