Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said Pakistan was afraid of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which is why there had been no ceasefire violations on the Jammu borders for a long time.
#WATCH | Rajouri, J&K: Addressing a public rally, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "... Gurjars and Pahadis did not get a reservation. We gave reservation to Gurjars. When we spoke of giving it to Pahadis, Abdullah Sahab objected saying that it would affect Gurjars. We did it… pic.twitter.com/gl9lZQidmp
— ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2024
Addressing a rally in Mendhar, Jammu, he said that if Pakistan fired even a single bullet at Indian forces, India would retaliate with an artillery shell.
#WATCH | Rajouri, J&K: Addressing a public rally, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "... For years, the people who came here (into power) spread terrorism and snatched away your rights. Rahul Gandhi went to America and made a statement that they would end reservation in India.… pic.twitter.com/jwI4TXu7Gj
— ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2024
This is the first time he has targeted Pakistan during his campaign for the party's candidates in Jammu.
Shah said the people in Mendhar and other border districts were living in peace because the borders were quiet.
“If Pakistan resorts to any mischief, even by firing a bullet, we will respond with an artillery shell,” Shah warned, urging Pakistan not to test India's resolve at the borders.
Taking a swipe at National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, he accused him of fostering terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. During Farooq Abdullah's time, the area frequently witnessed shelling from across the border, he added.
“That has now ended because Pakistan fears Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Shah said.
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“Since 1990, this region has been devastated by terrorism,” he said. “Under the rule of the NC, PDP, and Congress, Paharis, Gujjars, and Bakerwals were denied their rights.”
He blamed Abdullah for jeopardising their futures.
“We will arm the Paharis, Gujjars, and Bakerwals, but through police and army recruitment, so they can fight terrorism with all their strength and protect their homeland,” he stressed.
He said even if Abdullah and his son, Omar Abdullah, stand on their heads, they will not reverse the Pahari reservation. “We will grant reservation in promotions to the Paharis, Gujjars, and Bakerwals,” he said.
Along with the Abdullahs, Shah also took aim at the Muftis and the Gandhis, holding them responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people.
"It is because of these families that Jammu and Kashmir didn’t see Panchayat, Block Development Council (BDC), or District Development Council (DDC) elections for a long time,” he said.
“Today, over 30,000 representatives at the Panchayat, Block, and District levels are enjoying the fruits of democracy,” he added.
Shah expressed strong support for BJP candidate Murtaza Khan from Mendhar, saying Khan was the first Pahari to demand reservation for his community.
He said Khan would often come to him with memorandums about Pahari reservations.
“Once, I asked him if he would contest an election on a BJP ticket if we granted reservation,” Shah recalled. “He said that if I held a rally in Mendhar, he would contest.”
“That is why I am in Mendhar today, holding a rally, and he is contesting,” Shah said.
“If you ensure his victory, I will come back for an overnight stay,” he added.
