Maintaining that Jammu and Kashmir suffered due to the “blunders” of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir “is ours”, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Wednesday that 45,000 lives were lost due to Article 370 and this was why the Narendra Modi government abrogated it. He said Article 370 was “the root cause” of separatism and terrorism in J&K.
Replying to a discussion in Lok Sabha on the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 – the two Bills were passed by a voice vote later – Shah also hit out at the Congress for what he called its opposition to the backward classes.
He said J&K witnessed terrorism after the 1980s. “People who were native residents were displaced. No one cared about them… Those who were responsible for stopping it were enjoying holidays in England. I don’t want to name them. Still, they talk about their sacrifice. If they had eliminated terror at that time, neither they (Kashmiri Pandits) would have had to leave nor would I need to bring these Bills,” he said.
“When they (Kashmiri Pandits) were displaced, they had to become refugees in their own country… According to data, 46,631 families and 157,967 individuals were displaced within their own country… in such a way that their roots were uprooted… This Bill is to give them rights, representation,” he said.
Shah said that Kashmir suffered due to the “blunders” of Nehru. “The blunder that happened during Nehru's time, Kashmir had to suffer because of it.. I say this with full responsibility that Kashmir suffered due to two blunders by Nehru… his decisions. First, the ceasefire (with newly created Pakistan) was announced when our forces were winning. When the forces reached the Punjab area, the ceasefire was announced, which led to the birth of Pak-occupied Kashmir. If the ceasefire had happened three days later, PoK would have been part of India today… The ceasefire was announced before winning the whole of Kashmir. The second blunder was to take the Kashmir issue to the United Nations,” he said.
As soon as Shah mentioned Nehru, Congress members protested. “Why are you angry with me? I am just reading Nehruji’s quote… If they are angry, they should be (angry) with Nehruji.”
Discussing delimitation of Assembly constituencies in J&K, Shah said earlier there were 37 seats in Jammu, now there are 43. Earlier, there were 46 seats in Kashmir, now there are 47 seats, he said.
“We have reserved 24 seats for PoK… It is ours, we have kept it reserved ( PoK is ours, so we have reserved the seats)” he said.
Highlighting changes witnessed by J&K following the abrogation of Article 370, Shah said J&K has seen unprecedented transformation ever since the Modi-led government came into power.
“We must not forget that Jammu and Kashmir got its first multiplex cinema under the Modi government only… Now, over 100 films are being shot in the Valley… and bank loan proposals for over 100 movie theatres are under process,” he said.
Taking a swipe at Opposition leaders, Shah said, “If you are cut off from the roots, how will you know what changes have happened in Jammu and Kashmir? The transformation in Jammu and Kashmir cannot be felt by enjoying holidays in England.”
He said there has been a 70 per cent reduction in terror incidents during the NDA rule from 2014 to 2023. “That is why I was right in saying that the root cause of separatism, the root cause of terrorism was nothing but Article 370.” He said 45,000 lives were lost due to Article 370.
During his speech, Shah attacked the Congress for its stand on backward classes.
“Many friends in Congress talk about the backward class, but first look at your history. The biggest opposition to the backward class and the work of stopping the backward class has been done by the Congress. The Backward Classes Commission was not given constitutional recognition for 70 years. The Narendra Modi government gave constitutional recognition to the Backward Classes Commission,” he said.
“Narendra Modi is a leader born in a poor family. He understands the pain of the poor and backwards,” he said.
Without taking names, Shah took a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his statements on the backward classes.
“There are many leaders who have written a lot with their hands and in the last 6 months have not seen a new paper and have said the same things.: backward classes, backward classes… (There are some leaders who keep repeating the same notes for 6 months until they get a new paper),” he said.
When Congress members staged a walkout, Shah said, “Whenever the issue of backward classes comes up, the Congress never cooperates. It leaves.”
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
First published on: 06-12-2023 at 22:19 IST
