Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a recent interview to a news agency, said that people protesting the abrogation of Article 370, which provided special status to Jammu and Kashmir, are the "usual vested interest groups, political dynasties, those who sympathize with terror."

Reassuring the people of Jammu and Kashmir regarding the move, the PM said, "I want to make it clear to my brothers and sisters in Jammu and Kashmir, your representative will be elected by and from among you. The way you had MLAs, the same way you will have MLAs. The way you had Council of Ministers, the same way you will have Council of Ministers. The same way you will have your CM. I have full faith that together under this new order, we will free Jammu and Kashmir from separatism and terrorism."

On being asked about the people protesting the abrogation of Article 370 and their defense for Article 370 and Article 35(A), Modi said, "They would have no answer to this question. And, these are the same people who are used to protesting when it comes to anything that helps common people. There is a project to provide water to people, they will oppose it. There is a railway track being built, they will oppose that. Their heart only beats for Maoists and terrorists who have only bullied common citizens. Today, every Indian is fully standing with the people of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh and I am confident they will stand with us in the aim to boost development and bring peace."

While addressing the Rajya Sabha on August 5, Union Minister Amit Shah moved a resolution to scrap Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, which grants special status to the state. Article 370 specifies that except for defence, foreign affairs, communications and matters specified in the Instrument of Accession of Jammu and Kashmir, the Parliament needs the state government's ratification for all other laws.