‘Jobs ready for youths in J&K holding laptops and tricolour, jail for stone pelters’

STATE TIMES NEWS

KISHTWAR: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said there is a clear fight between the Congress-National Conference alliance and the BJP – one wanting to bring back Article 370, and the other committed to stopping it.
He said voting in favour of BJP candidate Shugan Parihar is not only for development and progress but also to pay tribute to martyrs, including her father.
“This election in Jammu and Kashmir is clearly between two forces. On one side are the National Conference (NC) and the Congress, and on the other side is the BJP. It is a contest between the BJP and the Gandhi-Abdullah families. Both have clear agendas,” Shah told a public rally here.
He said the BJP follows the ideology of Prem Nath Dogra – “One Constitution, one flag, and one Prime Minister,” affirming that Jammu and Kashmir is an inseparable part of India, and “no one can reverse that”.
Shah, who was campaigning in support of party candidates Shugan Parihar, Sunil Sharma, and Taraq Keen, said the NC and the Congress have said they will restore Article 370 if their government comes to power. “The reservations now available to hill people and Gujjars will be taken away under Article 370,” he said.
“It is a contest between those who want to bring back Article 370 and those who have made it history,” he added.
“What (Prime Minister) Modi ji did by removing Article 370 has become a page in history. There is no place left for Article 370 in the Constitution of India. In Jammu and Kashmir, there can never again be two Constitutions, two prime ministers, and two flags. The flag will always be our beloved Tricolour,” he said.
Hitting out at the NC and the Congress, he said efforts are still being made, similar to those in 1990, to strengthen terrorism again. “The NC and the Congress have made some promises that if their government comes to power, they will release terrorists,” he said.
“Today, I tell you all that this is the Narendra Modi government; no one has the courage to spread terrorism on Indian soil,” he added.
He accused the NC-Congress alliance of “nurturing” terrorism. “Whenever the National Conference and the Congress formed the government in the valley, terrorism thrived,” he alleged.
“Remember the 1990s… I want to ask (former chief minister) Farooq Abdullah, who was the chief minister then after a pact with Rajiv Gandhi. Where were you when our valley was drenched in blood?” he added.
Shah said voting for Parihar and making her victorious is not just for peace, progress, and development but also to pay homage to the martyrs of this land, including her father and uncle.
Shah praised her family’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
“When people said she was too young for this candidacy, I reminded them of her family’s martyrdom — her father and uncle died for this nation. She will not only represent development but also be a strong voice against terrorism.”
Shah said that if the Congress-National Conference alliance returns to power, “there will be shootings again, stone-pelting will resume, funerals for terrorists will be held again, the Tazia procession will be banned again, cinema halls will be shut down again, there will be attacks on the Amarnath Yatra once more, and the investment coming to Jammu and Kashmir will be replaced by unemployment.”
He claimed the Congress, which once called the Abdullah family “traitors” and held them responsible for terrorism, had kept Omar Abdullah’s grandfather in jail for years. “Today, to defeat Modi ji, Rahul Gandhi and Abdullah are saying ‘ILU ILU’ to each other.”
Warning terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, Shah said, “There is still time to turn back, otherwise the Indian Army and security forces are stationed here… you will be dealt with right here.”
He said PM Modi has “strengthened” democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. “I want to ask Farooq Abdullah – your family ruled for three generations, but did the people of Jammu and Kashmir ever receive free medical treatment worth up to Rs 5 lakh? Modi ji has provided free treatment worth up to Rs 5 lakh to everyone, from the valley to the plains.”
Recalling the party’s long battle over Kashmir, he said, “Under the leadership of Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Pandit Prem Nath Dogra, the Praja Parishad and the Bharatiya Jana Sangh fought against the idea of ‘two flags, two Constitutions, and two leaders’ in one country.”
Shah alleged the Congress government, led by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, crushed the movement. “They used to say, even if stars fall from the sky, Article 370 will never be removed.”
Taking a dig at political leaders’ remarks on Article 370, Shah said, “Farooq Ji used to say that even if Modi ji becomes prime minister ten times, Article 370 cannot be removed. Mehbooba ji said that if Article 370 is removed, rivers of blood will flow. But our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi removed Article 370 and established ‘one flag, one leader, and one Constitution’ in the country.”
He described Kishtwar as a land of martyrs. “Due to Congress’ wrong policies, the decision on Jammu and Kashmir’s future during partition was delayed due to Nehru’s Sheikh-supporting policies,” he added.
He further said that whenever there was a crisis in Jammu and Kashmir, the people of Kishtwar never hesitated to sacrifice. “During terrorism of the 1990s, every citizen here fought alongside the security forces and contributed to eradicating terrorism.”
He launched a cathing attack against National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah, saying he had “stooped” so low in his desperation that he had made unfounded allegations of Indian Army having links with terrorists.
Promising to bury terrorism so deep that it will not return for seven generations, Shah said a major security setup is being developed and Village Defence Guards (VDGs) and Special Police Officers (SPOs) are being restructured.
“Farooq Abdullah has lost control in his bid to win elections. In a recent statement, he said that the army and terrorists are linked. Everyone contests to win elections, but how low can Farooq Abdullah stoop in his attempt to secure a win?” Shah said at a public rally in Kishtwar on Monday.
Shah noted that the army operates in extreme conditions, enduring temperatures as low as minus 43 degrees. “Elections come and go, but to malign our armed forces does not behove someone of his (Farooq) stature,” he said.
Shah also took potshots at National Conference leader Omar Abdullah’s statement that Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru should not have been hanged. “This shows what will happen if they come to power,” he said.
“Omar Abdullah says that Afzal Guru should not have been hanged. If this is the situation, what will happen once their government is formed? Stone-pelting will resume, funerals for militants will occur, attacks will escalate, and investment will stop.
“The Abdullah-Gandhi families may return to seek patronage of terrorism, showing no shame in doing so. But with Narendra Modi’s government in power, nothing like this will happen,” he said.
Shah also criticised the NC-Congress alliance, warning voters that their plans could jeopardise the region’s security.
“They claim they will release all the terrorists from jails if they come to power. Is that what you want? This region has already suffered the worst of terrorism in the 1990s.
“Our candidate Shagun Parihar has lost both her father and uncle to terrorism. Whatever NC or Congress may plan, no force can revive terrorism in the Pir Panjal area under Narendra Modi’s government,” he said.
The Home Minister also highlighted the government’s efforts to strengthen local security forces, including modernising weapons for Special Police Officers (SPOs) and Village Defence Guards (VDGs).
“We are restructuring SPOs and VDGs, giving them SLR rifles instead of outdated 303 models. Our priority is addressing their issues and forming a strong security ring to keep terrorism at bay,” Shah said.
Issuing a warning to terrorists, Shah stated, “If you have plans to spread terror, now is the time to rethink and leave from here. The Indian Army and other forces are prepared to bury you here.”
Referring to the history of the Abdullah-Gandhi alliance, Shah recalled how Congress leaders had imprisoned Sheikh Abdullah, the NC founder, for sedition. “Indira Gandhi put Sheikh Abdullah in jail for years, and now his grandson Omar Abdullah is in an alliance with Rahul Gandhi.
“If Rahul Gandhi has the courage, he should bring back the White Paper that Congress introduced in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly against Abdullah,” Shah challenged.
He expressed surprise at how the “lure of power” has drawn Congress and NC together.
“I am astonished as to what the lure of power can do. The Congress family, which labelled Sheikh Abdullah as anti-national and kept him in jail for years, now allies with Omar Abdullah to take on Modi Ji. This alliance is about regaining power, not public service,” he added.
Shah assured voters that the Modi government would continue its efforts to eradicate terrorism, safeguard Article 370’s abrogation, and protect reservations.
Shah also took a moment to congratulate para-athlete Sheetal Devi, who recently won a bronze medal in Paris Paralympics and was honoured with the Arjuna Award, for making India proud.
In Chanderkote, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah alleged that the National Conference, PDP and the Congress wanted to release terrorists and stone-pelters to plunge Jammu and Kashmir into a terror inferno again.
He said the Narendra Modi-led government would provide jobs to youths holding laptops and tricolour in their hands and would not allow these parties to revive terrorism.
“Jails are ready for stone-pelters,” the home minister said, addressing his third election rally of the day here in Ramban district on the last day of the campaigning for the first phase of elections scheduled for September 18.
The home minister also strongly opposed the regional parties for advocating dialogue with Pakistan and the restarting of the cross-border trade, saying nothing of this sort is going to happen till terrorism is completely eliminated.
Referring to the J-K BJP manifesto for the assembly polls, he said a White Paper will be issued after the three-phase elections to ensure accountability for over 40,000 persons who lost their lives in terrorism over the past 35 years in the Union Territory.
“They (NC, PDP and Congress) want to release terrorists and stone-pelters and provide them jobs. I want to tell them that the Modi government will provide jobs to the youth who are holding laptops and tricolour in their hands,” he said at the rally in support of party candidates – Rakesh Singh Thakur (Ramban) and Mohammad Saleem Bhat (Banihal).
He said these parties are advocating dialogue with Pakistan and the restarting of cross-border trade along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir which was suspended in April 2019.
“I want to clarify that no talks will be held with Pakistan till the terrorism is over. Let (NC leader) Omar Abdullah do his best, no trade will be held with Pakistan till the terrorism is buried in the ‘Pataal’ (bottomless pit),” the home minister said.
“Your intention is to bring back terrorism which will not be allowed,” he said criticising Omar Abdullah for saying that Parliament attack convicts should not have been hanged. “You are playing with fire because terrorism does not benefit anyone.”
Shah referred to the NC manifesto and said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi supported it even as the regional party talked about bringing back Article 370 and the second flag.
“Do you need a second flag?” he said to the audience who replied in the negative by waving their hands.
“Rahul baba do whatever is in your power, Jammu and Kashmir will have only one flag and that is our beloved tricolour,” Shah said.
“I want to ask you and the people in Kashmir, especially the Muslim brothers and sisters what Article 370 gave you except poverty, unemployment and terrorism.
“The Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs have no benefit of Article 370, and only these three families — Abdullah (NC), Gandhi (Congress) and Mufti (PDP) — used it for their political interests,” he said.
He said they are talking about reviewing the reservation given to various communities and “pushing youths into the fire of corruption”.
“We will not allow divisive politics to run in J-K and this is our pledge,” he said.
He asked the people to decide whom they should support. “It is an election between two powers, on one side is BJP and on the other are those who pushed J-K into the fire of terrorism, leaving more than 40,000 martyred.
“I want to ask both Farooq Abdullah and Rahul Gandhi whether they are ready to take responsibility for the loss of lives in terrorism. I know they will not,” he said, adding “BJP has decided to issue a White Paper after elections to fix responsibility.”
Referring to the setting up of various educational and medical institutions like AIIMS and the enhancing connectivity, he said the BJP facilitated industrial development and improved electricity supply but the opposition parties want to “throw J-K once again into the fire of terrorism by bringing back Article 370”.
He said BJP is moving forward with its slogan of ‘Sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas.
Shah alleged that the National Conference and the Congress which ruled J-K for decades together “murdered development and the future of youth, women, Scheduled Tribes and other sections by not giving them their rights”.
Amit Shah asked senior Congress leader Sushil Shinde to visit Kashmir along with his children and grandchildren, saying the BJP government has secured the place by burying terrorism.
Shah was referring to former home minister’s recent remarks at the launch of his memoir that he was scared while visiting Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of Srinagar during his ministerial stint.
‘You might have heard a tall Congress leader Shinde from Maharashtra who said that he was afraid of visiting Lal Chowk. I want to tell him that he should come with his children and grandchildren now.
“‘Koi tumhara baal bhi baka nahi kar sakta’ (no one can harm you) because we have secured Kashmir by burying terrorism,” the home minister said addressing an election rally here in Ramban district.
Referring to former Congress president and leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi’s frequent visits to Kashmir in the recent past, he said, “Rahul Baba is roaming on bike, having ice-cream and throwing snow balls on his sister (Priyanka Gandhi) and at the same time abusing (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi.
“You are abusing Modi but it was not possible during your government. We have buried terrorism so you reached there with your (Bharat Jodo) yatra. It was possible because the BJP-led government is in power at the Centre,” Shah said.
Referring to Ekta Yatra led by the then BJP president, Murli Manohar Joshi, in December 1991, Shah said he along with Modi were part of the yatra which was supposed to unfurl the tricolour at Lal Chowk but was stopped at Ramban.
“We spent two days in Ramban and later a helicopter was made available for us to unfurl the tricolour in Lal Chowk. The situation has changed and now Ganesh Chaturthi and Janmashtami are observed, and Tazia (procession by Shia community) taken out and there was no riot,” he said.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Once three families–Abdullah, Mufti, and Congress– are defeated, BJP government will bury terrorism so deep that it won’t return for seven generations
• To win elections, JKNC, Congress even willing to seek refuge with terrorists
• Cong, which once labeled Abdullah family as traitors and held them responsible for terrorism, now aligning with them out of sheer hunger for power
• Cong, NC want to reinstate Art 370, but it is now a part of history, no one can bring it back
• Cong, NC want to end reservation, but BJP will not let that happen
• During Cong government, even Home Minister was afraid to visit Lal Chowk, but today Tricolour flying proudly at Lal Chowk; Shinde should visit Kashmir now
• Cong, NC want to talk with Pakistan and restart LOC trade, but no talks will be held with Pakistan until terrorism in J&K ends
• In 35 years of Cong, NC government, over 40,000 people martyred. Will Rahul Gandhi, Farooq Abdullah take responsibility for these deaths?
• If government is formed by Omar Abdullah, who opposed Afzal Guru’s hanging, and Congress, there will once again be stone-pelting, shootings, terrorist funerals, and attacks on Amarnath Yatra
• If BJP government is formed, every household’s oldest woman will receive Rs 18,000 per year, two free gas cylinders
• Rs 10,000 will be provided to farmers annually, electricity bills will be reduced by 50 pc, metro services will be introduced in Jammu, Kashmir
• Targets Farooq Abdullah for remarks against Army, calls for strong anti-terror stance

Addressing an election rally at Gulabgarh in Padder-Nagseni assembly segment of Kishtwar district on the last day of campaigning, Shah said the National Conference-Congress alliance will not be able to form the J-K government.
“Today, I promise to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, including this region which has a history of sacrifices following the eruption of terrorism in 1990, that we will bury terrorism to such a deep level that it will never surface again,” the home minister said.
“National Conference and Congress have made promises like releasing terrorists from jails after the formation of their government. In front of Maa (Machial Mata’s) shrine, I am saying to you that this is Modi’s government and no one has the courage to spread terrorism on the soil of India,” he said.
Shah said the BJP government has strengthened the village defence guards and Special Police Officers who are being provided modern weapons, replacing the old .303 rifles with self-loading rifles.
Targeting Farooq Abdullah, he said when terrorism erupted in J&K in 1990’s, he was enjoying in London.
His son Omar Abdullah, Shah said, is in the meantime giving contradictory statements on contesting elections.
Sometimes Omar Abdullah is saying that he will not fight elections in the Union territory, but later he came out to submit his nominations from two seats, the home minister said. His defeat is certain from both seats, he said.
Shah further said that the prime minister has encouraged leadership among the youth by holding elections to all tiers of Panchayati Raj Institutions to strengthen grassroots democracy.
The events were attended by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, former MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Janki Nath Manhas, Pradeep Parihar and BJP’s candidate for the Paddar Nagseini Assembly constituency, Sunil Sharma, among other BJP candidates for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.