New Delhi [India]: Union Home Minister Amit Shah underscored India’s unique identity as a ‘Geo-cultural’ nation while addressing the launch of the book J&K and Ladakh Through the Ages.
In his speech, Shah rejected colonial-era narratives that misrepresented India’s history, emphasizing the nation’s deep cultural connections stretching from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Gandhar to Odisha, and Bengal to Assam.
Highlighting the significance of India’s ancient heritage, Shah stated, “The history of all corners of our country is thousands of years old where activities were done to give something to the civilizations of the world.”
He accused colonial rulers of attempting to erase India’s “real history” by promoting a false idea that India lacked unity and that independence was an irrelevant goal. “The definition of our country written in history during British rule was wrong because of their lack of knowledge,” he said.
Shah argued that India’s unity is distinct from other nations, which often define themselves geopolitically based on boundaries created through wars or agreements. In contrast, India’s unity, he asserted, is rooted in its culture rather than mere geography.
“India is the only nation in the world which is a ‘Geo-cultural’ country and the boundaries are defined because of culture,” he remarked. He added, “From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Gandhar to Odisha, and Bengal to Assam, we are connected because of our culture.”
The Union Minister emphasized that India’s shared cultural heritage forms the foundation of its unity and identity. He criticized the perspective of those who view nations only through geopolitical frameworks, arguing that such an approach fails to capture the essence of India.