Rajnath In Kashmir Says India’s Goal Is To Reach Gilgit-baltistan

The government’s development journey in the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has only just begun, and it will be completed once it reaches Gilgit-Baltistan, Union defence minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday, referring to a 1994 parliamentary resolution demanding Pakistan leave its illegally occupied territories in the region.

Singh was speaking at an event marking the 75th anniversary of Shaurya Diwas, which commemorates the landing of Indian troops at Srinagar airport on October 27, 1947 to evict Pakistan-backed tribesmen from the Valley, a day after Maharaja Hari Singh signed the instrument of accession with India.

He also charged Pakistan with atrocities against the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

“In Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, we have only just begun our development journey.” “We will complete this mission only when we reach the remaining parts, such as Gilgit and Baltistan, in accordance with Parliament’s resolution (of 1994, which demanded Pakistan vacate the occupied territories),” Singh said in Budgam district on the outskirts of Srinagar.

“…And the dream of Acharya Shankaracharya and Vallabhbhai Patel will be realised, and the 1947 refugees will be given justice and their land back.” “The day will come when this mandate will also be fulfilled,” he added.

Gilgit-Baltistan, the largest province of PoK, has a population of approximately 90 million people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned human rights violations in PoK and Gilgit in his 2016 Independence Day speech.

Singh accused Pakistan of denying basic human rights to the people of PoK. “The pain of the people of PoK troubles us as well as them.” “I’d like to ask Pakistan what rights have been granted to people who live in areas under its forcible occupation,” he said.

“Whatever Pakistan does now in PoK will reap the consequences in the future,” he added.

In the name of human rights, Singh also accused Pakistan of “shedding crocodile tears for Kashmiri people.” He claimed that in recent years, “some so-called intellectuals have cried human rights violations when actions were taken against terrorists.”

“I’d like to inquire about the rights granted to people living in our areas where Pakistan has maintained an illegal occupation… We continue to hear about inhumane acts committed against innocent Indians, for which Pakistan bears full responsibility. “And this is about Pakistan-occupied Kashmir,” he added.

Pakistan has repeatedly criticised India for alleged human rights violations in the Valley. Islamabad also opposed the effective repeal of Article 370, which granted the former state special status.

Singh lauded Modi’s decision to end the region’s special status. “It was the start of a new era in J&K… “We’d been waiting for J&K’s integration for seven decades,” he said. “Discrimination against the people of J&K was abolished… “On August 5, 2019, Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s ‘yajna’ of J&K’s full integration was completed,” he added. He was referring to the repeal of Article 370, which granted the former state special status.

Singh also slammed those who try to link terrorism to religion. “Terrorist victims are not limited to one religion.” Terrorists target people without regard for whether they are Hindus or Muslims, but they know how to plan attacks against India,” he said, urging all communities in J&K to fight terrorism together.

Shaurya Diwas is observed as part of the Centre’s Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, which commemorates the 75th anniversary of India’s independence of Indian Army air landed operations at Budgam Airport.

“On October 27, 2022, a replica of the historic event was held at the old Air Field to pay homage to the brave soldiers and people of Jammu and Kashmir who laid down their lives, as well as to honour the Next of Kin of war heroes who participated in the 1947-48 Indo-Pak War.”

“The Defense Minister, along with Kashmiris, witnessed a re-enactment of history, covering Pakistan’s violation of the ‘Standstill Agreement,’ in which the Pakistan Army infiltrated Jammu and Kashmir, brutalising citizens by unleashing rape, murder, looting, and arson,” the Army spokesman said.

The event also depicted the arrival of the Indian Army on October 27, 1947, to evict Pakistani forces. The Indian Air Force also performed a stunning airshow, and the next of kin of war veterans who travelled from across the country to participate in this mega event were also honoured.

According to Zuhaib Mir, the PDP district youth president, the instrument of accession signed on October 26, 1947, refers to the entire territory of Jammu and Kashmir, including Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, and areas where the Chinese have usurped lakhs of hectares of land.

“We want J&K’s territorial integrity to be complete, but the BJP will only speak about issues that will help them in the upcoming elections in several states, including Gujarat, where they are losing ground by the day.”