Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while addressing a rally in the Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), made a passionate appeal to the residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), asserting that India sees them as its own. In contrast, he noted that Pakistan’s government referred to them as “foreigners.” “We don’t call them foreigners. They are our people,” Singh declared, inviting them to join India and be part of the country’s growth story.
Revocation of Article 370 and Security Improvements
During his speech, Singh highlighted the impact of the abrogation of Article 370, a key point in the BJP’s agenda. Since its removal in August 2019, he claimed that security had significantly improved in the region. “Kashmir was once called a terrorism hotspot, but now it’s a tourism destination,” he noted, referencing the G-20 summit held in Kashmir as a symbol of its growing stability. The abrogation, Singh explained, not only helped bring peace but also paved the way for greater development opportunities.
The Defence Minister assured voters that if the BJP governs J&K for the next decade, the region will become one of the most prosperous in India. He pointed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, under which India has become the fifth-largest global economy. Singh believes that with sustained efforts, India will rank third by 2027, and J&K will experience a similar transformation.
Appeal to PoK Residents: A Call for Unity
In one of the most significant moments of his speech, Rajnath Singh extended a direct invitation to the residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. He emphasized that while Pakistan considers them “foreigners,” India has always seen them as its people. “Let them come and join us,” Singh urged, envisioning a future where PoK residents would prefer to be part of India due to the rapid development in J&K.
He emphasized that with continued development, the people of PoK would see the benefits of India’s progress and want to be part of it. “The changes we bring here will make PoK residents say they want to join India, not stay with Pakistan,” Singh said.
Criticism of Separatists and Past Coalition Governments
Shifting his focus to internal politics, Singh criticized the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for being lenient toward separatists during their coalition government with the BJP. He admitted that despite efforts to withdraw cases against minors involved in stone-pelting incidents, the PDP’s sympathies towards separatists hindered efforts to maintain law and order. He stated, “I would always tell Mehbooba Mufti to bring the ground situation under control, but she couldn’t.”
Singh also reflected on the 2016 unrest in Kashmir following the death of militant Burhan Wani. He recalled how a Parliamentary delegation, led by him as the then-Home Minister, attempted to engage in dialogue with separatist leaders. Despite this outreach, the Hurriyat Conference leaders refused to meet with them. “It wasn’t Kashmiriyat, insaniyat, or jamhooriyat,” Singh remarked, underscoring the lack of cooperation from separatist factions.
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Omar Abdullah and Afzal Guru: A Sharp Critique
The Defense Minister didn’t hold back when responding to National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah’s controversial remarks regarding Afzal Guru, the convicted terrorist involved in the 2001 Parliament attack. Abdullah had stated that Guru should not have been hanged, to which Singh sharply retorted, “Did he want Afzal Guru to be garlanded?” He questioned the rationale behind such comments, reinforcing the necessity of Guru’s execution for his role in a heinous attack on India’s democratic institution.
Singh also targeted the NC and Congress for their demands to restore Article 370, affirming that no political power could reverse the abrogation. “As long as BJP is here, no one has the guts to bring 370 back,” he asserted, highlighting his party’s firm stance.
Promises of Development and Prosperity
To inspire confidence in the voters, Singh outlined the progress made by the BJP in the last decade. Infrastructure projects, such as the construction of new railway links and the reduction of travel time between Jammu and Srinagar from 14 to 4 hours, were emphasized as examples of the government’s commitment to development. He also promised future projects, including free gas cylinders for weaker sections of society, free laptops and tablets for students, and the creation of new tourist destinations in Ramban and Banihal.
Singh expressed the BJP’s intention to protect the rights of marginalized communities in J&K, such as the West Pakistan refugees, Safaikaramcharis, and Valmiki Samaj, ensuring their full participation in the democratic process. Furthermore, he assured the public of continued efforts to uplift these groups through policies like OBC reservations in panchayats and urban bodies.
A Path Forward for J&K
As the region heads toward its assembly elections, Singh’s rally underscored the BJP’s vision of a peaceful and prosperous J&K. The Defense Minister urged voters to support the BJP, stating that their governance would bring significant change to the region within the next 10 years. He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to restore peace and development in J&K, turning it into one of India’s most thriving states.
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