MP Kartikeya Sharma has voiced his support for the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha. On this occasion, he discussed the present and past situations in Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasised that passing these bills is crucial to rectify the injustice inflicted upon the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Opponents of the bills should recognise the desires of the people of our country. In 2022, during my visit to Lal Chowk in Srinagar, a once notorious hub for terrorist activities, the atmosphere had transformed significantly. Despite the heavy security, I conducted the first-ever live TV show and debate from Lal Chowk, a moment of great pride.
The sight of the national flag, Tiranga, is now prevalent, prompting a reflection on the Prime Minister’s courageous Ekta Yatra in 1991. He hoisted the Tiranga at Lal Chowk during a time when such an act was exceptionally challenging.
Recalling that period from my 10-year-old perspective, I witnessed the evolution of the region by 2022. Lal Chowk, once fraught with unrest, had become a symbol of peace and freedom. The transformed atmosphere has allowed people to visit Jammu and Kashmir without hindrance, marking a significant change.
The tourism sector has thrived, with a remarkable record of 1.88 crore tourists welcomed last year, expected to exceed 2 crore this year. Jammu and Kashmir now exhibit democracy and Tiranga in every household, signifying unity and constitutional harmony.
In conclusion, the people are joyously celebrating ‘aik desh, aik sanvidhaan, aik jhanda har ghar Tiranga,’ symbolizing one nation, one constitution, and a flag in every home.