LIVE: Narendra Modi calls for debate on Art 370 at Jammu rally

Jammu: Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi today oncegain raised the issue of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and called for a debate on its utility.Modi said that it should be it should be debated whether the constitutional provision has been beneficial for the state or not.Addressing his first rally here after being named the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi said his party wanted a discussion on various aspects of the issue. He echoed views expressed by BJP President Rajnath Singh, who earlier even told the ‘Lalkar' rally that if Article 370 proved to be beneficial, his party would stand by the measure. Referring to the provision, Modi said that women had not been given equal rights in the state unlike in other parts of the country.“If Omar (Abdullah) married outside Kashmir, his rights of being a citizen remain whereas his sister Sara loses the right for the same. Is this not discrimination against the women in the state,” he asked, while referring to the Chief Minister's family.Taking on the Centre for its China policy, the Gujarat Chief Minister claimed that China had been distributing free SIM cards to villagers along the border with India. “I want to ask whether our Telecom Ministry can't provide the same,” he said.Modi also spoke about “non-implmentation” of the 73rd Amendment providing financial powers to Panchayats and took a veiled dig at the ruling National Conference, saying, “Those who talk about autonomy are not ready to provide the same to their own elected local bodies.”He accused the state government of indulging in corruption and said the Prevention of Corruption Act is applicable everywhere other than Jammu and Kashmir. “For 60 years they talked about separate state (autonomy) but what did people get? Nothing and there is no accountability also...In the name of separate state, they encouraged separatism.“It would have been better if they focused on creating a super state,” he said.Even though data show that the state had been receiving record number of tourists, the BJP Prime Ministerial candidate claimed that tourism in the state had been suffering.“Tourism is suffering here. Tourists are going to Himachal Pradesh. Saundarya aur Shradha ke liye acha tourism hai yahan par (J and K is a good place for natural beauty and religious tourism),” he said.Modi referred to Bollywood celebrating its 100 years and said, “A lot of films were shot here. Why could J and K not get a film institute? Sadly they are not interested in development and progress.”He also said that why can't the government consider a route to Kailash Mansarovar from Leh in order to boost the tourism in Ladakh region.Earlier, BJP President Rajnath Singh told the rally that that his party would raise in Parliament the issue of the border agreement reached with China. “Recently Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited China where he signed the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement which has many controversial clauses. One clause, as I am made to understand, is that border forces of either country would not tail each other if they inadvertently entered each other's territory,” he said.The BJP President said that the Prime Minister did not think of taking Parliament into confidence before entering into such an agreement.“With the Parliament session starting from December 5, BJP will rake up this issue and demand a statement from the government,” he added.Speaking on the “discrimination” against the female folk, Modi said this is not an issue between Hindus and Muslims but a matter concerning 1.25 crore people of the state. “I want to ask those who advocate humanity why their lips are sealed over the denial of rights to female. Why they are silent over it?” he asked.“I have not come to J&K to talk about Hindus and Muslims, but 1.25 crore people of the state. The politics of separatism has destroyed the country and if you have to register development it will be done by jointmanship,” Modi said. “The money which is flowing into the state is being looted here and no accountability is fixed for that. Separatism is being propagated and strengthened...,” he said and lashed out at the Congress for failure to implement several central laws in the state.Here we are giving you minute-by-minute updates of this rally:14:29-Narendra Modi concludes his speech with chants of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Vande Mataram'14:21-Modi:We have to remain united and fight for the state14:20-Modi:By fighting with each other we cannot more ahead14:19-Modi:Should J&K not have IITs and IIMs? Neither the State nor the Centre is interested in that 14:18-Modi:Atal ji gave 3 Mantras- Insaniyat, Jammuriyat, Kashmiriyat. He asked to walk on that path14:17-Modi:For 14 years no PM had gone to Jammu & Kashmir. Atal ji changed that & he went to JK14:16-Modi:Why cannot we think of going to Kailash Mansarovar from Leh? Lots will happen if this can be done14:15-Modi:Lot of films were shot here. Why could J&K not get a film institute? Sadly they are not interested in development & progress14:14-Modi:Tourism is suffering here. Tourists are going to Himachal Pradesh. Saundarya & Shradha ke liye acha tourism hai yahan par14:13-Modi:From Ramayana times, we are hearing that Himalayas has herbs with medicinal value. Why cannot research be done on this?14:12-Modi:Speak in one voice and you will see neither the state or the Centre can suppress your voice14:11-Modi:This politics of discrimination must come to an end. Discrimination against Shiites including from Kargil should come to an end.14:10-Modi:Beggar days are over.we now need to move towards better days14:09-Modi:Jammu Kashmir Bhikhari nahi hai. Yeh desh ke liye marne wali jamaat hai14:08-Modi:And leaders of Kashmir are not comfortable either with summer or winner. They go abroad whenever they feel uncomfortable. 14:07-Modi:Your rulers have got the habit of going to Delhi with begging bowls, because what is given is not accounted for?14:06-Modi:Do you want a super state or not? (The crowd respons - Yes)14:05-Modi:Atal ji showed the way the J&K must be made into a super state14:08-Modi:In the name of separate state, they encouraged seperatism. Would it not have been better if they focussed on creating a super state?14:07-Modi:For 60 years they talked about separate state but what did people get? Nothing and there is no accountability also14:06-Modi:The rights that your CM Omar Abdullah has, does his sister Sarah enjoy those rights? No, because she married outside J&K14:05-Modi:I am not talking about Hindus or Muslims I am talking about the people of J&K. Development comes when there is integration14:04-Modi:Men and women must have same rights. Should there be discrimination again women in J&K? Should not the injustice stop?14:03-Modi:Only 50 families have gained if you look back in history. Rest of the Kashmir has been ignored14:02-Modi:Country is angry over corruption. Is there not rampant corruption in J&K? Should corruption prevention law be there for J&K or not?14:01-Modi:Rights of Dalits and Tribals should be applicable in J&K as well. Why is it not happening?14:00-Modi:Are the acts being implemented in J&K for which Congress is taking credit?13:59-Modi:Article 370 has become a Kavach for some elements and that is the reason we are not having a proper debate on this13:58-Modi:Pandit Nehru said with regard to Article 370 -yeh samay rehte rehte ghis jaegi. Is your Government ready to do what Nehru ji said?13:57-Modi:Need of the hour is that we should debate if Article 370 has helped the people of J&K or not13:56-Modi:For some people, secularism is like panacea that washes away away all their sins.In JK one thing is added and that is Article 37013:55-Modi:Is there any government that will remain sleeping even when their people are getting killed?13:54-Modi:Just like what happened to Sarabjit, even Chamel Singh was treated same way. If India had raised a voice, Sarabjit may not have died.13:52-Modi:Government in Delhi is sleeping but they are in such deep slumber that even people's anger has failed to wake them up13:51-Modi:History has proven Dr. SP Mookerjee right. I also remember Pandit Prem Nath Dogra ji today13:50-Modi:I remember Dr. SP Mookherjee. I ask all political pundits, was Pandit Nehru or Dr. Mookherjee right about Kashmir?13:49-Modi:Maharaja Hari Singh worked for society. He worked for girl child education & he spoke about perils of untouchability13:48-Modi:I remember Maharaja Hari Singh ji today. If he was in mainstream of decision making after 1947 things would have been different13:47-Modi:I have worked here extensively. No leader has had the honour to witness such a sight like today13:46-Modi:I have a very close relationship with Jammu & Kashmir. Someone gave me a 25 year old picture that refreshed old memories13:45-Modi: Aaj purani yaadien taaza ho rahi hai.for years I worked for the Organisation here in J&K and travelled across the state13:45- Narendra Modi starts his speech13:29- Rajnath:Sarpanchs are being killed here. why are state and centre governments not able to protect the Sarpanchs?13:21- Rajnath:J&K Bharat Ka Tha, Bharat Ka Hai Aur Bharat Ka Rahega13:20- Rajnath:When Atal ji was PM terrorist activity has stopped in J&K. I credit people & our forces for this13:19- Rajnath:This land is the crown of India. When I come here I remember Dr. SP Mookherjee13:18- Rajnath Singh: Never imagined would see such a sight in J&K! I thank you for your welcome