JAMMU, (IANS): Union Home Minister Amit Shah unequivocally said on Friday that
Article 370 is a thing of the past and those promising to restore it are
deceiving the people of J&K.
He also said that there can be no talks with Pakistan as
long as terrorism exists in J&K.
"Right from the Independence of the country, we have
been closely associated with J&K. From the agitation started by Pandit Prem
Nath Dogra to the sacrifice of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, our party, first as the
Jana Sangh and then as the BJP, strived for complete integration of J&K
with the rest of the country," Shah, who arrived here to release the BJP
election manifesto for the coming Assembly elections, told a large gathering of
party workers, BJP supporters and the media.
"Till 2014, there were both state and non-state
actors controlling the ground situation. Governments in power in those days
worked with an appeasement policy for the separatists. During the last 10 years
after 2014, J&K’s history will be written in golden words. Today J&K is
part of India and it will always remain part of India. Article 370 and 35A are
no longer part of the Indian Constitution. These articles are a thing of the
past and will never come back. Those promising to restore article 370 are
deceiving the people of J&K," he said.
"Our government restored democracy on the ground
level from the panchayat, and urban bodies to Lok Sabha elections and now the
Assembly elections in J&K as had never happened before," Amit Shah
asserted.
He said 58 per cent votes were polled in the Lok Sabha
elections, and "in the past if there would be 10 per cent voting, that
would be highlighted by newspapers".
Asked about the election manifesto promise of some
regional political parties that they will ask Delhi to speak to Pakistan, the
Home Minister said: "There is no question of talking to Pakistan as long
as terrorism exists in J&K. Yes, we will talk to the youth of J&K as
they are our own children."
About the National Conference (NC) election manifesto
that promises to revisit reservations in J&K, he said: "Omar Abdullah
is now saying that if he gets power, they will revisit reservations to Gujjars,
Paharis and other underprivileged classes. I want to tell Omar Abdullah that
reservations are a part of the Indian Constitution and will never give him the
power to undo these reservations."
About the NC-Congress alliance, Shah said: "Congress
has supported the NC manifesto. I am again asking Rahul Gandhi whether he
supports the restoration of Article 370, the restoration of the dual
constitution in J&K and releasing all anti-national elements from jails. By
adopting silence nothing will be achieved. Rahul Gandhi should reply with a
'Yes' or 'No' whether he supports NC manifesto."
Appealing to voters to support BJP candidates, Shah
referred to the main points of the party manifesto released today by him.
"What happened in 10 years has made us reach closer
to our goal. I promise that if the people give us the mandate to govern
J&K, we will change the face of J&K in four years. Youth will write
their own destiny. College students will get Rs 3,000 travelling alliance. To
coach local youth for UPSC exams, we will give Rs 10,000 per month to promising
aspirants for two years," he said.
"Dal Lake will be reclaimed to its past glory. We
will set up a fun city in the Tattoo ground in Srinagar from where the visitors
will not leave for three days because of the attractions offered to children
and families," he said.
The BJP leader also referred to the Pandit Prem Nath
Dogra Yojana proposed in the manifesto and cited its multiple benefits for the
common man.
About the under-developed Pir Panjal region and districts
of Poonch & Rajouri, he set the manifesto has promised to set up a tourist
city in Rajouri.
“Udhampur district will get a pharmaceutical park. Jammu
city will have a lake of its own," he said.
About investments, he said that three times more
investment has come to J&K during the last 10 years than had come during
the last 70 years before that.
Among other manifesto promises, he promised
regularisation of long pending leases to small and medium traders and shoppers,
and five marlas of land to the homeless, and financial support to build homes
on the allotted land would be given by the government.
He also spoke of amnesty to electric power bills
outstanding for consumers.
Asked about reports that some separatists are now joining
the NC and the PDP to fight elections, he said those trying to accommodate such
elements need to understand what they are doing. Replying to another question
about former Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah joining the electoral fray after
stating categorically that he would not fight elections as long as J&K
remained a UT, Shah said: "He was afraid of defeat and that is why he said
he would not fight. Then under pressure, he filed papers from one constituency.
Again fearing defeat, he also filed papers from another constituency."
"I want to tell Omar Sahab that people are not with
him and he should accept that”, he said.
About Kashmiri Pandits, who migrated out of their home
due to militancy, the Union Home Minister said: "They sold their
properties in distress. In some cases, we have restored their lost property and
in all cases, we will ensure either restoration of lost property or adequate
market rates for properties sold in distress.
Amit Shah ridiculed various political parties for
promising to fight for the restoration of statehood to J&K. "What are
they promising? I have said on the floor of the Parliament that statehood will
be restored at the appropriate time. Where is the question of fighting for
something I am committed to the country’s Parliament to restore?" he
wondered.
Asked about political parties saying that intimidation of
Muslims will not be allowed in J&K, he said Muslims are not intimidated
anywhere in the country nor will they ever be intimidated in J&K.
Three-phase elections in J&K will be held on
September 18 and 25 and October 1. Counting of votes will be held on October 8.