Claiming that Article 370 was a thing of the past, Amit Shah said no one could bring it back. (File)
Jammu:
Indian Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said unequivocally that India was not in favour of negotiations with Pakistan until terrorism stopped, stressing that “negotiations and bombs cannot go hand in hand”.
Amit Shah made these remarks while releasing the BJP manifesto for Jammu and Kashmir. He rejected any possibility of dialogue with Pakistan in the context of ongoing terrorist activities.
Claiming that Article 370 is a thing of the past, Amit Shah said that no one can bring it back.
“Talks and bombs cannot go hand in hand. We are not in favour of talks with Pakistan until terrorism stops. But we will definitely talk to the youth of Kashmir,” Amit Shah told reporters shortly after the BJP released its manifesto ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls.
Responding to a question on the National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s demand for talks with Pakistan and restoration of cross-border trade, Amit Shah said, “Unless terrorism is ended and the ecosystem of trade and terrorism is dismantled, we cannot subscribe to it.” Hitting out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his silence on the NC manifesto, which advocates restoration of Article 370, Amit Shah said, “You should ask this question to the Congress. Whatever they do, nothing will happen.”
“The NC agenda cannot be implemented on ground. Article 370 is a thing of the past. It is ancient history. Nobody can bring it back,” the Union Minister said.
Asked about the entry of separatists into politics through elections, Amit Shah said, “I have no concerns about separatists. The people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially those from the Valley, have decided to support Narendra Modi ji to make Jammu and Kashmir a terrorism-free state. I hope your question has been heard by Rahul Gandhi.” Criticising the contradiction between the NC manifesto and Rahul Gandhi’s stand on reservations, Amit Shah said, “There is a contradiction. This is a characteristic of the Congress as they differ in what they say and what they do.”
“I want to assure the people of Jammu and Kashmir that Gujjar Bakerwal, Pahari, OBC, Dalit – the reservation we have given them – nobody will take it away from them. We will definitely continue,” the senior BJP leader said.
Amit Shah commented on Omar Abdullah’s decision to contest two elections: “What can I say? First, he did not want to contest because of fear. Then, he contested one seat because of pressure put on him.
“Now one seat is not enough, he is contesting two seats. But Omar Sahib, the people are not with you,” the Union Minister said.
On the rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri migrants, Amit Shah said, “We have granted them migrant status in two ways. Those who came here from the Valley are called migrants. A detailed policy will be framed. We will ensure permanent rehabilitation.” He added that the government was working on formulating remedial measures for those who had sold their properties during the peak of terrorism.
“At that time, many Kashmiri Pandits, Hindus and Sikhs sold their properties and did not get fair prices. We are working to give them a proper price or get back their properties. The work to provide employment to 6,000 people in the valley has also been completed,” he said.
As for the demand for restoration of the state, Amit Shah dismissed it as an attempt at deception.
“I have clearly told the parliament that the state will be restored. We have no reservations. Why this demand? I have always accepted it. At the right time, it will be restored. They do not need to demand it. There is nothing else to demand, so they continue to raise this issue,” he said.
Responding to Gandhi’s remarks that outsiders are ruling Jammu and Kashmir, Amit Shah said, “If he says President’s rule is foreign rule, then I want to tell Rahul Gandhi that there was more President’s rule during your stay in Jammu and Kashmir. Your so-called friends were not even living in the Valley at that time. They were in London. People were left to die here.” He added that this rule is necessary because the Congress was instrumental in giving rise to terrorism, injustice and failure to abrogate Article 370.
Amit Shah reassured the public: “I cannot elaborate on the plan, but no one should be afraid. The security measures have been fully implemented by the Narendra Modi government and the Jammu and Kashmir administration.” Responding to a question about Abdullah’s remarks that unlike outside, Muslims will not be allowed to be repressed in the Valley, Shah dismissed the claim, saying: “Nothing like this is happening anywhere. There is no question of it in Kashmir.” He ruled out the possibility of a hung assembly in Jammu and Kashmir.
Asked about the possibility of the BJP forming a government with the NC and PDP in case of a lopsided Assembly, Amit Shah said, “There will be no government between the PDP, NC and the Congress led by dynasties. The BJP will explore other possibilities.”
(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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