Union Home Minister Amit Shah said as long as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is in power, no force can bring back terrorism in Jammu. He was addressing an election rally at Padder-Nagseni in Kishtwar constituency, one of the 24 assembly seats going to polls in the first phase on September 18.
Shah reiterated that the BJP government is committed to completely eliminating terrorism.“Anti-national and anti-peace elements are trying to bring back the 90s-like atmosphere in the Jammu region,” he said, adding, “Let me assure you, we will push terrorism several feet below the ground so that it doesn’t erupt again.”
Jammu and Kashmir: Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "They say if their government comes to power, they will reconsider reservations. Don't be fooled by the term 'reconsider.' If they come to power, they will remove reservations. When it came to granting reservations to the… pic.twitter.com/gGKO5dIP1K
— IANS (@ians_india) September 16, 2024
The home minister also criticised National Conference (NC) leader Farooq Abdullah for his actions during the peak of violence in Kishtwar. He said Abdullah should be asked where he was during the bloodshed. “I know where he was—enjoying on the beaches of London,” Shah claimed.
#WATCH | Kishtwar: Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "The upcoming elections are between two forces. On one hand, you have the BJP which walks on the ideals of Pandit Prem Nath Dogra and Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee. It’s clear to us that J&K was and will always be an integral… pic.twitter.com/wJ4U2JfqSI
— ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2024
He accused the NC-Congress alliance of laying the foundation for terrorism and separatism in Jammu and Kashmir.
Shah claimed these parties were responsible for pushing Maharaja Hari Singh out of Jammu and Kashmir, adding, “Only his mortal remains returned. They also caused the mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990.”
This was Shah’s second visit to the Jammu region since September 6.
He said the Village Defence Guards (VDGs) and Special Police Officers (SPOs) have been equipped with the latest weapons and powers to stop infiltrators before they can reach towns and cities. “We won’t allow anyone to use Indian soil for terrorism.”
Regarding Article 370, he said there is no place for it in the Indian Constitution, and called it a part of history. He asked the crowd if they wanted to bring back the NC-Congress government, to which they responded with a loud “no.”
He said the NC-Congress cannot restore Article 370. “Let me be clear, neither terrorism nor Article 370 will return.”
Taking a jab at NC vice president Omar Abdullah, Shah remarked that Omar initially said he wouldn’t contest elections in the Union territory but later decided to contest from two seats. “This shows he has accepted defeat. Let me tell you, you can’t win from either seat.”
He assured that under Modi’s government, the reservation for Gujjars and Paharis will not be reversed.
#WATCH | Kishtwar, J&K: Addressing a public rally, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "... I had promised the Gurjars that Pahadis will get the reservation but it will not affect Gurjars. And now, the Modi government has given reservation to Pahadis without touching the Gurjar… pic.twitter.com/gYHpfUxLmY
— ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2024
“There is no question of bringing back two constitutions, two flags, and two leaders,” he said. “Shyama Prasad Mukherji’s vision has been fulfilled, and no power can reverse that.”
Promising development for Paddar and Kishtwar, Shah urged the people to support Sunil Sharma, the BJP candidate. “You already have Jitendra Singh in the PMO. If Sunil wins, they will work together for your development,” he said. “We have big plans for Paddar and Kishtwar.”
