Kashmir will remain India’s: Rajnath

Srinagar, Feb 04: Reiterating that Kashmir was, is and will always be an integral part of the Indian territory, Home Minister Rajnath Singh Sunday said that though India was interested in maintaining peaceful relations with the neighbouring nation, it was Pakistan which tried to ‘disintegrate’ India, The Indian Express reported.

“Our neighbouring country, Pakistan, continuously tries to create havoc and destabilise India. It continues to engage in nefarious activities in Kashmir.

“Kisi ne maa ka doodh nahi piya jo Kashmir ko Bharat se alag kar de. Kashmir hamara tha, hai aur rahega (There is no one who can separate Kashmir from India, Kashmir was, is and will remain ours).”

Addressing a poll-bound Tripura, Singh has said “as our neighbour, we do not want to attack Pakistan first. We want to live with peace and harmony with our all neighbours. But, most, unfortunately, Pakistan is trying to tear down Jammu and Kashmir and continue attacks on our forces and Indian territory.”

While talking about the situation on the borders, Rajnath Singh as quoted has said the Indian forces have been directed to fire countless bullets while retaliating to even one Pakistani bullet. “I have given standing orders to our forces to shoot limitless bullets to retaliate a single fire on our territory by the Pakistani forces.”

The Home Minister’s remarks came amid escalating tensions at the border, with instances of ceasefire violation increased rapidly in the past one year. Hitting out at Pakistan, Rajnath Singh said last week that Pakistan must not misinterpret India’s decency.

Stating that Pakistan should maintain a friendly attitude towards India, Rajnath said, “India is no more a weak country. India has now become a powerful country.”

Further hitting out at the ruling Left Front in poll-bound Tripura, the senior BJP leader claimed that the Left government did nothing for the development and economic prosperity of Tripura or tackle the state’s poverty and unemployment.

Claiming that only the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) can bring positive development in the northeastern states including Tripura, Rajnath said, “During CPI-M’s 35 years rule in West Bengal, they ruined that state, and if the Left parties after the February 18 assembly polls are allowed to rule Tripura further, they would destroy the future of the state and its people. BJP and its allies are now ruling 19 states in India. Why so many states are under BJP and its allies’ governance? Because people of these states trust BJP and people sincerely believe that only BJP can remove their poverty and provide jobs to the youth.”

Promising that Tripura will be the number 1 state in the country with its natural resources, if the saffron party comes to power, Rajnath said, “You have given scope to the Left parties in Tripura many times, give scope to BJP once this time to rule for genuine development of the state with all-round growth of all sections of people.”