The Impressive TimesRamban, September 8 2024 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday made a strong appeal to the residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to join India, emphasizing that India considers them “our own” while Pakistan treats them as “foreigners.” Singh’s remarks came during an election rally in Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir, where he was campaigning in support of BJP candidate Rakesh Singh Thakur. Addressing the gathering, Singh remarked, “While Pakistan treats the people of PoK as outsiders, we in India consider you part of our own.”. We consider you as part of our family. I urge the people of PoK to come and join India.” The Defence Minister used the platform to criticize Pakistan’s treatment of PoK residents, contrasting it with how India views the region and its people. His statement was made against the backdrop of a recent affidavit filed by Pakistan’s Additional Solicitor General, referring to PoK as a “foreign land.”
Singh also took aim at the National Conference-Congress alliance, particularly their pledge to restore Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. He declared that such a promise is “impossible” as long as the BJP remains in power. He emphasized, “The public should understand that bringing back Article 370 is not an option while the BJP governs.” Reflecting on the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Singh welcomed the significant improvements in the region following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. He pointed out that the situation in Kashmir has changed dramatically, with youths now choosing laptops and computers over pistols and revolvers. “There has been a sea change in the security scenario. Today, young people are more focused on education and technology rather than violence,” Singh remarked. The Defence Minister urged voters to support the BJP to form the next government in Jammu and Kashmir, promising that this would pave the way for massive development in the region. He added that such progress would make people in PoK want to leave Pakistan and join India. “Support the BJP, and we will ensure such development that people in PoK will want to be part of India,” he asserted.
Rajnath Singh’s visit comes a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s tour of Jammu and Kashmir, during which Shah released the BJP’s election manifesto and held meetings with senior party leaders. Singh also campaigned in the Banihal constituency, supporting BJP candidate Mohd Saleem Bhat, who is competing against Congress leader Vikar Rasool Wani, former National Conference candidate Sajad Shaheen, and PDP candidate Imtiyaz Shan. The Ramban constituency is seeing a tough fight with BJP’s Thakur pitted against NC’s Arjun Singh Raju and independent candidate Suraj Singh Parihar, a BJP rebel. In the previous election, BJP’s Neelam Kumar Langeh secured the seat, but this time, the party did not grant him a ticket.
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