Rapid development of J-K, Ladakh among priorities of govt: Prez

Invoking BJP's idealogue Syama Prasad Mookerjee, President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said rapid development of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh are among the priorities of the central government.

He said the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution by two-thirds majority in both the houses of Parliament is not only historic but has also paved the way for equitable development of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

"Through this House, I heartily congratulate the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh for joining the mainstream of development," Kovind said addressing the joint sitting of the two houses of Parliament.

He said Mookerjee, who was the great son of Bengal and the minister for Industry and Supply in the government headed by Jawaharlal Nehru, had said in the Lok Sabha, "In a democratic federal state, the fundamental rights of the citizens of one constituent unit cannot vary vis--vis the citizens of another unit. Are not the people of Jammu and Kashmir entitled to the fundamental rights that we have given to the people of India minus Jammu and Kashmir?"