SRINAGAR: Union Home Minister Amit Shah delivered a resounding message today, declaring that Pakistan is now fearful of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, ensuring that no cross-border firing is taking place on the Line of Control (LoC). Speaking at a series of five election rallies in Jammu and Kashmir’s border regions of Poonch, Rajouri, and Akhnoor, Shah emphasised that any misadventure from Pakistan would be met with a robust response, stating, “If they fire a bullet, we will retaliate with an artillery shell.”
Addressing large crowds, Shah credited Modi’s leadership for bringing peace to regions that once frequently witnessed cross-border firing. The Union Home Minister drew attention to the transformation on the LoC, saying, “Since the 1990s, there was regular firing on the LoC, but now Pakistan is afraid of Narendra Modi. Our forces are ready, and any threat will be met with overwhelming force.” His remarks were met with cheers from the audience, particularly from the Pahari community, who recently received Scheduled Tribe (ST) status from the Central Government.
Shah took the opportunity to accuse the National Conference (NC) of hindering progress, claiming the party had stalled the reservation bill for the Pahari community for six months. “The NC opposed the reservations in Parliament, and they even tried to provoke Gujjars and Bakerwals against it,” he said. However, he assured the gathered crowds that as long as Modi’s government remains in power, no one could revoke the reservations for Paharis, Gujjars, and Bakerwals.
In a scathing attack on the National Conference and its leaders, Shah accused them of promoting terrorism and failing to protect the region. He recalled, “Where was Dr Farooq Abdullah when terrorism was tearing apart the Valley? He was on holiday in London. Do you want such leaders back in power?” Shah also referenced former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s comments, warning of a resurgence in terrorism. He declared, “With Narendra Modi as Prime Minister and I as Home Minister, we will never allow terrorism to return to J&K.”
He further criticised the NC for allegedly aligning with Pakistan’s agenda, referring to recent comments by Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khwaja Asif, who expressed support for Congress and NC’s stance on Article 370. Shah urged voters to reject these parties, asserting, “Article 370 is buried forever. Terrorism, too, has been buried, and neither will return, no matter how much they try.”
Shah also took aim at the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), predicting their electoral downfall, stating, “The PDP will not even secure five seats in this election.” He blamed the Congress, NC, and PDP for the deaths of 40,000 people in Jammu and Kashmir, accusing them of promoting terrorism and stifling development. “These families are responsible for 3,000 days of strikes in J&K,” he claimed, adding that it was the Modi government that had “buried terrorism so deep that even three generations of the NC and Congress will not be able to revive it.”
During his speech, Shah also announced recruitment initiatives for the Pahari, Gujjar, and Bakerwal communities in the Armed Forces and police, assuring that the youth would be given the opportunity to defend their homeland. “We are ready to hand guns to our youth, not to promote terror, but to serve as soldiers and protectors,” he stated.
Shah highlighted the Modi government’s achievements in Jammu and Kashmir, pointing to the construction of bunkers along the borders for civilian protection and the Rs 75,000 crore spent on developmental projects. He noted the significant increase in tourism, with over two crore tourists visiting the region last year—more than during Farooq Abdullah’s tenure. Shah criticised the previous governments for neglecting the tourism potential of areas like Poonch and Rajouri, promising to develop these regions into tourist hubs akin to Pahalgam.
The Union Home Minister made a passionate appeal to the Paharis, Gujjars, and Bakerwals to support the BJP in the ongoing Assembly elections, urging them to “cover the hills with lotuses,” the party’s election symbol. He accused the Congress, NC, and PDP of fostering a “monarchy” in the Pir Panjal region for the past 75 years, keeping it underdeveloped. “They want to keep you in darkness, but we want to empower you, give you rights, and bring development,” he said.
Shah’s speeches were well-received by the enthusiastic crowds, reflecting the support for the BJP in these border districts. The first phase of elections saw a voter turnout of over 61 per cent, a testament, Shah said, to the strengthening of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir.
Asserting that the BJP had replaced guns and stones with laptops in the hands of the region’s youth, Shah reiterated his commitment to peace and development. “No talks with Pakistan until they stop aiding terrorism, but we will talk with the children of my hill regions,” he declared, adding that Jammu and Kashmir had seen a massive transformation under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.
Shah concluded by emphasising that the upcoming elections were not just for the future of Jammu and Kashmir but for the entire nation, as the region experiences elections without two flags and two constitutions for the first time since independence. “This election will put an end to the rule of these three families and usher in a new era of peace, prosperity, and development in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
The rallies marked a crucial moment in the ongoing election campaign, with Shah’s robust speeches likely to resonate across the region as Jammu and Kashmir heads towards the next phase of polling