Says Art370 has become ‘history’ &will never return
Calls out Cong for silence on NC’s anti-national agenda
Jammu, Sept 06:Union Home Minister Amit Shah Friday said that the fight against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir will be intensified, and no negotiations will be held with Pakistan until it ceases to sponsor terrorism.
Shah made these remarks while releasing the BJP’s manifesto for Jammu and Kashmir, dismissing any possibility of dialogue with Pakistan amidst the ongoing terrorist activities.
“Talks and bombs cannot go together. We are not open to talks with Pakistan unless terrorism ends. However, we will certainly talk to the youth of Kashmir,” Shah told here.
Shah criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for remaining silent on the manifesto of the National Conference (NC) advocating the restoration of Article 370.
“Article 370 is history, and no one will be allowed to bring it back,” Shah asserted, questioning Congress’ silence over NC’s agenda, which includes a promise to restore the controversial article 370.
Shah criticized the NC manifesto for advocating the release of terrorists and stone pelters, labelling it as anti-national. He also demanded that Congress clarify its position on the NC’s agenda.
Shah reiterated that the BJP remains committed to preventing the restoration of Article 370, which he claimed fueled terrorism, separatism, and unrest in the region. He emphasized that no talks will take place with Pakistan until it halts its support for terrorism.
Lashing out at the Congress, Shah accused the party of tacitly supporting the NC’s agenda due to its silence. He highlighted recent improvements in J&K, including high voter turnout in the 2024 LokSabha polls and the restoration of cultural and religious activities.
“There is no stone pelting, no hartals and no calender is being issued from across the border now, ” Shahadded, praising the ongoing development efforts led by Prime Minister Modi.
Shah arrived in Jammu on a two-day visit to kickstart the BJP’s campaign for the upcoming assembly elections. This will be the first election in Jammu and Kashmir since its special status under Article 370 was revoked and it was reorganized into two Union territories in August 2019.
Shah emphasized peace, prosperity and development over the past decade.
“After 2014, when the history of India and J&K is written, these 10 years will be highlighted in golden words,” he stated.
“For years, Kashmir echoed with gunfire and bomb blasts. That changed in the last 10 years. Between 2004 and 2014, there were 7,217 terror-related incidents, but from 2014 to 2024, the number dropped to 2,272 — a 70 per cent decrease. Killings fell by 76 per cent, civilian casualties by 80 per cent, and there’s been a significant drop in security force casualties.”
He added that stone-pelting incidents fell from 2,654 in 2010 to zero after August 2019 and Pakistan-sponsored strikes also dropped from 132 to zero.
“No deaths or injuries from stone-pelting, compared to 112 fatalities in previous years,” Shah said.
“Kashmir tourism has surged after 30 years. Night shows are now common, and Shia processions are allowed after 32 years. Record numbers attended the AmarnathYatra and Vaishno Devi pilgrimage,” he added.
