BJP vs NC-Cong: Assembly polls a battle for Rights of Gujjars, Paharis, & OBCs
No place for two flags or two constitutions in J&K
Warns against return to 1990s terrorism under NC-Cong rule
Art 370 a “closed chapter,” no power can bring it back
BJP to arm VDGs with SLRs, strengthen security in J&K
JAMMU, Sept 16: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday declared that the BJP government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will bury terrorism so deep that it won’t resurface for seven generations, vowing that forces attempting to revive it will fail as long as BJP is in power.
“We will bury terrorism to such a level where it will never come out again. Attempts are on to revive terrorism as the National Conference and Congress manifesto talks about releasing terrorists. This is the Modi government and nobody has the power to revive terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir,” Shah said addressing an election rally in Padder-Nagseni assembly segment in support of BJP’s candidate and former minister Sunil Sharma here.
Shah also reiterated that Article 370 is a “closed chapter” and will never be restored.
Addressing rallies in Kishtwar, Ramban, and Padder, Shah outlined the stark contrast in the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, calling it a battle between the BJP and the National Conference-Congress (NC-Cong) alliance. “This election is between two forces: the BJP, which abrogated Article 370 and gave rights to Gujjars, Bakkarwals, Paharis, OBCs, women, Dalits, Valmikis, and refugees, and the NC-Congress, which wants to take away these rights by restoring Article 370,” Shah said.
Shah emphasised that Article 370, which provided special status to Jammu and Kashmir, is now part of history and has no place in the Indian Constitution. “There will never be two prime ministers, two flags, or two constitutions in Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, and no power on Earth can change that,” he declared.
In a direct challenge to the opposition, Shah questioned their promises to bring back Article 370. “Should Article 370 be reinstated? The reservation benefits given to Pahadis and Gurjar brothers would not be possible if it were brought back,” he argued.
He dismissed the possibility of NC or Congress returning to power in the region. “I have been observing the environment in Kashmir; neither Farooq Abdullah nor Rahul Gandhi will form the government here,” Shah asserted.
Shah issued a strong warning to terrorists, stating that they will not be spared. “The BJP will not allow terrorism to return. Terrorists and stone pelters will not be released from jails, as the NC-Cong alliance suggests. That would bring back an era of closed shops, burnt schools, and halted development.”
The Home Minister recalled the unrest of the 1990s, during which thousands of innocent lives were lost, and claimed that the NC-Cong alliance would push Jammu and Kashmir back into that turmoil. “While the people of J&K suffered, Farooq Abdullah was vacationing in London,” Shah said.
To further strengthen the security apparatus, Shah announced that Village Defence Groups (VDGs) would be provided with Self-Loading Rifles (SLRs) instead of outdated weapons. “The security grid will be fortified, and not a single terrorist will be spared,” he vowed.
Shah also paid tribute to the people of Kishtwar for their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. He particularly honoured the memories of Parihar brothers and Chanderkant Sharma, local figures who were martyred by terrorists. Shah urged the people to support BJP candidate Shagun Parihar, daughter of one of the slain Parihar brothers, saying, “A vote for Shagun will be a tribute to their sacrifice.”
He criticised NC and Congress for perpetuating injustice towards the Jammu region, promising that the BJP will not let this happen again. Shah also made it clear that the government will not engage in talks with Pakistan unless it stops sponsoring terrorism. Referring to comments made by Farooq Abdullah accusing the Indian Army of being in league with terrorists, Shah called it an insult to the nation’s armed forces. “This is the same Army that defeated Pakistan in three wars,” he reminded. Shah’s series of election rallies underscored BJP’s hardline stance on terrorism and its commitment to ensuring the permanent integration of Jammu and Kashmir within India.
