Article 370 is history: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday said that Article 370 was history and no power on the earth could restore it now.

Commenting on the judgement of the Supreme Court on Article 370 revocation, the PM in an interview with a National media agency made his stand clear on Article 370 revocation saying, “Article 370 is history.

It will never return. No power on the earth can restore Article 370 now. People should forget it now and get busy in their routine work.”

Days after the Parliament security breach incident, PM Modi termed it as “unfortunate” and “worrisome”.

The PM said that the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was taking the necessary steps with the utmost seriousness and that the seriousness of the incident should not be underestimated.

“The seriousness of the incident in Parliament should not be underestimated at all. Therefore, the Speaker is taking the necessary steps with utmost seriousness,” a National media agency quoted PM Modi as having said.

“The investigative agencies are conducting a thorough investigation. It is equally important to understand the elements behind it, what the plans are, and to find a solution. A search for solutions should also be made with an open mind. Everyone should refrain from controversy or resistance on such matters,” the PM said.

On December 13, the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attacks, two men – Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D – jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour.

The two also released yellow smoke from canisters and shouted slogans, before being overpowered by the Members of Parliament. Around the same time, two others – Amol Shinde and Neelam Devi – released coloured smoke from canisters while shouting “tanashahi nahi chalegi” outside the Parliament premises.

Lalit Jha, the fifth accused, allegedly circulated videos of the protest outside the complex on social media.

On Saturday, the Police arrested Mahesh Kumawat, the sixth accused, who allegedly helped Jha escape and was in contact with the other accused for the last two years for hatching the conspiracy.

Kumawat had also destroyed their mobile phones to get rid of the evidence, Police said on Saturday.