AFSPA revocation in J&K will be considered: Amit Shah
‘Assembly elections to be held before September’
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asserted that only the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and none else, will be able to save Kashmiriyat and this is his (PM Modi’s) promise to restore real democracy in J&K, for its people.
“It will be a democracy empowering all citizens of J&K and not confining to three families,” he said, while also hinting that the revocation of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) would be considered with the improvement in the situation here in J&K.
In an interview to a private news channel, he asserted that the government had a blueprint for change as a part of which Jammu and Kashmir Police was being strengthened. Soon it would be able to handle the law and order situation alone thus enabling gradual withdrawal of other troops and this change would be witnessed, the Home Minister said.
Shah exuded confidence that the people in J&K would bring new leadership, cherishing real democracy in the spirit of Indian Constitution to the fore during parliamentary elections and reject three parties which promoted dynastic politics.
Cautioning the youth of J&K against propaganda of Pakistan, which, he alleged, had nothing to offer but hunger and poverty, he reiterated that the government would talk to them (youth), who believed in the Indian Constitution and not to the Hurriyat Conference.
ON AFSPA REVOCATION
In response to a question about the possibility of revocation of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) taking a cue from the North-East, the Union Home Minister dropped a big hint. “As the situation is turning normal, it (revocation) will be considered.” In the same breath, he pointed out that earlier the army and CRPF were leading the counter-insurgency operations with JKP in a supporting role.
“But now the scenario has changed, Jammu and Kashmir Police is emerging as a frontline force. Changes are being induced and their impact is visible on the ground. Soon JKP will be able to handle law and order alone thus creating a conducive situation for gradual withdrawal of other troops. Blueprint is in place and accordingly, JKP’s strength is being bolstered. They are leading from the front while handling violent incidents with the assistance of central forces. Change is discernible,” he said
WHEN WILL J&K BE COMPLETELY TERROR-FREE
When asked that though the government had been quite successful in containing terrorism and separatism yet when J&K would be completely terror-free, the Union Home Minister said, “Government is making all out efforts to make J&K completely terror free. I still exhort the youth of Kashmir to come out of their reveries or delusions (and shun violence). This is Pakistan’s propaganda. At a time, when Pakistan is fraught with hunger, financial crisis and unprecedented inflation, even all Pakistanis envision heaven in Kashmir. Indian people already consider it (Kashmir) a paradise.” Asserting that the terrorism was on decline as the efforts were being made to dismantle its ecosystem, he shared statistics to authenticate his point.
NO THREAT TO KASHMIRIYAT
Further elaborating on this account, the Union Home Minister said, “I want our youth to enjoy this heavenly bliss and be part of the development trajectory. They should focus on their education. There should be laptops in their hands and not stones. They should be forthcoming in entering into a dialogue with the government about their all grievances to find a solution. They should remember an important fact that the number of Muslims in Gujarat is much more than J&K. UP comprises Muslim population which exceeds the population of entire J&K. All are happy. It is only a propaganda (threat to Kashmiriyat), which is aimed at misleading them
TRANSFORMATION FROM ‘TERRORISM’ TO ‘TOURISM’
“After two or three years, the transformation of Tattoo Ground, Dal lake and Gulmarg will amaze you and you will get a clear idea about the future of Kashmir. The Modi government has prepared a blueprint for everything. Keep it in mind, I assure you that following these revolutionary changes, the whole thought-process, narrative or discourse (about Kashmir) will change. The discourse about the place, which once used to be in news for stone-pelting, will be about development and employment. This all will help boost the confidence of people in Kashmir (about their real potential),” he said, in reply to a question about the assertion of the Prime Minister vis-a-vis transformation of Kashmir from “terrorism” to “tourism.”
ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS TO BE HELD BEFORE SEPTEMBER
With regard to a question about assembly elections, Shah reiterated that the assembly elections in J&K would be held before September. “BJP has committed itself to the restoration of democracy in J&K. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made this commitment on the floor of the Parliament and I too maintained the same thing about restoration of democracy in J&K. I believe this time J&K people in parliamentary polls will reject three dynastic parties which allowed the terrorism to flourish here and would bless new democratic forces (parties and individuals) working in the perfect spirit of the Constitution of India for strengthening democracy, empowering people and eliminating terrorism,” he said
ARTICLE 370 ABROGATION DID NOT ENDANGER J&K’S DISTINCTIVE CULTURE
Union Home Minister stated that the abrogation of Article 370 did not endanger J&K’s distinctive culture, language as was being falsely propagated by the vested interests. “In the garb of Article 370, youth here were pushed to terrorism and over 40,000 youth were killed. In fact, now Kashmiri identity is being strengthened. Kashmiri language has been given due importance. I’m happy that the people here are now realising these facts,” he said.
POJK PART OF INDIA
Shah reiterated that PoJK, as per the resolution of the Parliament, is part of India and the people there belonged to India, irrespective of their religion.
DIFFERENCE THEN AND NOW
He stated that previous regimes too witnessed fake encounters yet the present government in such instances promptly ordered inquiries and took action.
“Our government gave rights to all deprived sections viz., OBCs, SCs, STs, West Pakistani refugees. We delivered justice to Gujjars as well as Paharis and Valmikis by giving them what was their legal right. Why could PDP or NC not do so?” he questioned
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