New Delhi [India]: Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi while addressing the Rajya Sabha on counter-terrorism operations and development in Jammu and Kashmir.
Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, Shah remarked, “If someone is sitting with kaala chashma (black glasses) on, how is it possible to show them the development?”
Responding to Gandhi’s remarks from his Bharat Jodo Yatra in Kashmir in 2023, Shah said, “One leader went on a foot march, went to Kashmir, played Holi with snow with his karyakartas and then claimed he saw terrorists from afar.”
“Arre bhai, nazar mein hi aatankwadi hai toh sapne mein bhi aayega aur Kashmir mein bhi” (If someone has a terrorist in their mind, he will appear in your dreams as well as in Kashmir),” Shah added.
Government’s Firm Stand on Terrorism
Amit Shah reaffirmed the Modi government’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism, stating, “Whenever we see a terrorist, we shoot right between the eyes. Our government can neither tolerate terrorism nor terrorists.”
Highlighting the decline in terror-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Shah said, “Earlier, terrorists from the neighbouring country used to enter Kashmir almost every day and carry out bomb blasts. There was not a single festival that passed without any worries. Even after this, the central government’s attitude was flexible. There was fear of speaking, so they remained silent, and there was fear of the vote bank.”
“After the arrival of Narendra Modi, the policy of ‘zero tolerance’ was adopted against terrorism. After our arrival, when attacks took place in Uri and Pulwama, we gave a befitting reply by entering Pakistan within 10 days and carrying out surgical and air strikes,” the Union Home Minister said.
Vows to Eliminate Naxalism by 2026
Shah also spoke about the steps taken by the government to tackle Naxalism, drug abuse, and security issues in the Northeast. He made a bold declaration, stating, “I say it in this House with responsibility that Naxalism in this country will be eliminated by March 21, 2026.”
Talking about intelligence measures, he said the government has strengthened the security forces’ access to accurate intelligence, dismissing claims that Naxalism is only a political problem.
With this address, Shah reiterated the BJP-led government’s commitment to strengthening national security and eliminating internal threats like terrorism and Naxalism.