Hardening the BJP’s position on separatism and the issue of restoration of Article 370, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said there would be no talks with Pakistan till terrorism ended and stone-pelters would only face jail.
Referring to the manifestoes of the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking talks with Pakistan and release of youth, Mr. Shah said, “No talks will be held with Pakistan till terrorism is over. Let Omar Abdullah [of the NC] do his best, no trade will be held with Pakistan. Jails are ready for stone-pelters.”
Speaking at an election rally at the Paddar-Nagseni Assembly constituency in the Kishtwar area, the Home Minister minced no words on the government’s iron hand approach towards terrorism and separatism. “No power can revive terrorism in the Jammu region like the 1990s. The BJP government will bury terrorism deep down and will never erupt again. Nobody will be allowed to use Indian soil for terrorism,” Mr. Shah said.
Exodus of Pandits
He accused the NC and the Congress of “setting up a base for terrorism and separatism in Jammu and Kashmir”. “Maharaja Hari Singh was pushed away from Jammu and Kashmir by these parties. Only his mortal remains returned to Jammu and Kashmir. These parties are responsible for the mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in the 1990s,” the Home Minister said.
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Pointing out Mr. Abdullah’s recent statement on the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, Mr. Shah said, “Mr. Abdullah said he [Guru] should not have been hanged. This tells us what will happen if Rahul Gandhi and Omar Abdullah form the government. Bullets will be fired again, stone pelting will happen again, funeral processions of terrorists will take place again, Tazia processions will be stopped again, cinema halls will be shut again, Amarnath Yatra will be attacked again and the investment that is coming to Jammu and Kashmir will be replaced by unemployment.”
On the regional parties’ high-pitch campaign on restoration of Article 370, Mr. Shah said, “There is no place for Article 370 in the Indian Constitution. This Article has become an old chapter of India’s history. I ask the NC-Congress how can they bring back Article 370? Neither terrorism nor Article 370 will return,” he said. “There is no question of bringing back two constitutions, two flags,” he added.
Fresh measures
He also referred to fresh measures taken in the Jammu region to tackle militancy and cross-border infiltration. He highlighted the measures to upscale weapons of Village Defence Guards (VDGs) and Special Police Officers (SPOs). “Fresh measures were introduced to ensure infiltrators who come here to disrupt peace are buried in the mountains only and not allowed to enter the hinterland,” Mr. Shah said.
The Home Minister also reiterated the BJP’s position on the new reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir, which included new groups in Schedule Tribes and Scheduled Castes. “The Modi government at the Centre will never allow reversal of the reservation given to Gujjars and Paharis,” he said.
Published - September 16, 2024 03:17 pm IST
