Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaking at the 'Run For Unity' event at the National Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday. (Photo: ANI)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said Article 370 and 35A of the Constitution were the gateway of terrorism into Jammu and Kashmir and Prime Minister Narendra Modi closed the gate by abrogating them.

"Article 370 and 35A were the gateway of terrorism in India. Prime Minister Modi has closed this gate by repealing them," he said.

Amit Shah was flagging off the 'Run for Unity' event on the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas from Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi to commemorate the 144th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

The day also marks the official bifurcation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. The UTs come into existence from Thursday after the central government on August 5 decided to abrogate the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and create them on October 31.

Speaking at the event, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief said that Sardar Patel's unfulfilled dream of integrating Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country was accomplished on August 5 when Article 370 and 35A were repealed.

Amit Shah said when India attained independence, there were more than 550 princely states and everyone thought that even though India got independence, the country would be disintegrated.

At that time, Mahatma Gandhi had entrusted Sardar Patel the task of integrating the princely states into the Union of India which he completed with distinction, he said.

But one thing remained to be completed and that was the complete integration of Jammu and Kashmir into the Union of India, he said.

"Article 370 and 35A became a problem in this integration process and no one touched on these subjects. The unfulfilled dream of Patel was realised on August 5 when these two were repealed and the full integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the Union of India was completed," he said amidst applause of the gathering comprising several thousand people.

Amit Shah said the decision to abrogate Article 370 and Article 35A was taken after the Modi government got a massive mandate in 2019 general elections.

The home minister said for many years, Sardar Patel did not get the respect he deserved, he was ignored and there were even attempts to forget him.

He said Sardar Patel was not given Bharat Ratna for many years, his proper statue was not installed, nor his portrait was allowed to be put up.

When Modi became the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Amit Shah said, he (Modi) started the process of giving due honour to Sardar Patel.

Referring to the 'Statue of Unity' of Sardar Patel located in Gujarat's Kevadia, he said PM Modi sourced iron pieces from the farmers, soil from every village of Gujarat and water from various rivers to pay a humble tribute to the man who unified India.

Amit Shah said the map of India, as it is seen today, is because of the efforts made by Sardar Patel to unify more than 550 princely states of the country.

"A unified India came into existence due to Sardar Patel and we humbly remember him today," he said.

The home minister also administered a unity pledge to the participants of the run.

People wearing white T-shirts bearing Sardar Patel's photo assembled at the National Stadium and the India Gate roundabout here for the run.

(With inputs from PTI)