Dismisses possibility of talks with Pakistan
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has categorically ruled out the restoration of Article 370 in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir calling the provision “history” that will never return.
During a two-day visit to IIOJK, Amit addressed the region ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections and unveiled the BJP’s manifesto. He criticised the opposition, particularly the National Conference and Congress, for pushing the agenda of restoring Article 370 and 35-A, which granted special status to the region.
“Article 370 is history. It brought nothing but guns and stones into the hands of Kashmir’s youth,” Amit asserted.
Pakistan was also a central focus of Amit’s speech, where he reiterated India’s position of not engaging in dialogue until terrorism from across the border ends. “Talks and bombs cannot go together. We will not talk to Pakistan, but we will speak to Kashmir’s youth, offering them a path of peace and development,” he stated firmly.
The Assembly polls, scheduled for three phases between September 18 and October 1, are the first since 2014 and are seen as a barometer of public sentiment in the region.
