White paper on terrorism to reveal who ate Biryani with terrorists: Home Minister

Jammu, Sep 22: Union Home Minister Amit Shah Sunday asserted that the ‘White Paper’, to be brought by BJP after assembly elections, would “expose Abdullah, Gandhi and Mufti families and reveal who brought terrorism to Kashmir and who relished ‘Biryanis’ with terrorists.”

He stated the first phase of polling had ensured a complete rout of Congress and National Conference and one could see writing on the wall that J&K would not witness their (Congress-NC) government after elections. Taking a dig at Congress and NC, Shah said that they were talking of “scrapping reservation and reviving terrorism.” “They talk of terrorism through their so-called ‘Mohabbat Ki Dukan’ (love-mart). After the counting day of J&K assembly elections, they would not be able to do so as J&K people would shut down their fake ‘Mohabbat Ki Dukan’,” he said.

Referring to the NC manifesto, he announced that the stone-pelters and terror accused would not be released, irrespective of “desires expressed by Dr Farooq Abdullah.”

Shah was addressing a public rally in support of party candidate and J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina in the Nowshera assembly segment, while winding up his three-day election tour to Jammu region.

Targeting the Congress-NC duo, the Union Home Minister said that they claimed to have fought against terrorism. “Don’t worry, Farooq Sahib. After the J&K assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will bring a White Paper on terrorism. It will expose the Farooq Abdullah family, Congress and Mufti families while bringing to the fore who brought terrorism to the Kashmir valley. Who helped propagate terrorism in the valley? Whose government was there at the Centre and in J&K at that time – Who relished Biryanis with the terrorists? White Paper would reveal everything,” Shah said.

He said that they (NC-Congress) resolved to bring back “Sheikh Abdullah’s flag (separate flag) to replace the tricolour” but the BJP would not let it happen. “Our Tricolour is flying high proudly at present in J&K. They said that they would bring “Sheikh Abdullah Wala Flag.” Should they bring it back? I dare them – do whatever you can, now in J&K, only tricolour will be there and no other flag can replace it. They are advocating for dialogue with Pakistan. Let me tell Farooq Abdullah and Rahul Baba – we’ll not talk to Pakistan till the cessation of terrorism. If we have to talk, we will have a dialogue with only “Lions of Nowshera” (youth of Nowshera),” Shah said.

He criticized Congress and the National Conference for their anti-development and pro-terrorist stance, underscoring the damage caused by their politics. He contrasted this by highlighting the significant achievements of the Modi government in transforming Jammu & Kashmir. Shah assured that the BJP would safeguard the reservations and rights granted to the people.

Union Home Minister commenced his address by paying respects to Mangla Mata and Guru Nanak Devji. He lauded Ravinder Raina for his significant contributions, stating that under his leadership, the BJP made great strides in Jammu & Kashmir.

“Both Hindu and Muslim Paharis received reservation due to Raina's crucial role. Congress, National Conference and PDP have deprived the Paharis of their rightful reservation for 70 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi granted the reservation despite opposition from Congress and National Conference,” he said.

He said that when the Paharis were granted this right, Farooq Abdullah attempted to instigate Gujjars by falsely claiming their reservation would be taken away.  Shah recalled that he had assured, during a rally in Rajouri, that not even 1 percent of the Gujjar and Bakarwal reservation would be touched and Pahari would get their share of reservation and the BJP stood by its promise.

“Current reservation merely serves as an entry point. BJP is committed to going further i.e., promotion-based reservations for the Pahari community after the elections. This commitment ensures not only positions like Collector and DySP but aims for even higher roles such as Chief Secretary and DGP, underscoring the BJP government's dedication to creating greater opportunities for the Paharis,” he assured.

Shah stated that Congress and the National Conference resolved to reconsider the reservation given to Gujjar, Bakarwal, Pahari, Valmiki, Dalit and OBC communities. “Rahul Gandhi, while in America, has remarked that these communities have already progressed and no longer need reservations. Regardless of what Rahul Gandhi and Omar Abdullah attempt, the reservations will remain. Farooq Abdullah talks about restoring Article 370, but even the next three generations of his family won't be able to bring it back,” he reiterated.

Union Home Minister mentioned, “Raina has conveyed that bunkers have been built in Kashmir, which is a significant step. However, there will be no need for bunkers, as no one can dare to fire a bullet. And if a bullet is fired, it will be answered significantly with a befitting response.”

“Congress and the National Conference want to restart trade across the LoC and release terrorists from prisons. Stone pelters and terrorists are in jail, and while Farooq Abdullah claims terrorism will spread, the Modi government will ensure it’s buried as deep as possible. Farooq Abdullah wants to rename Shankaracharya Parvat and Hari Parvat as ‘Takht-e-Suleman’ and ‘Koh-e-Maran,’ but he doesn’t have the power to do so,” Shah said.

Claiming that NC-Congress would face a complete rout after assembly elections, he said that even in the Pahari region, NC was losing ground.

On September 25, the people of Nowshera must decide whether they want to elect a capable leader or an opposition candidate who has a habit of frequently switching parties. They need to decide whether they want a representative who can directly contact ‘Delhi Darbar’ to address the public’s issues or someone who drifts directionless.  Ravinder Raina’s voice is heard strongly in both Srinagar and Delhi, ensuring that Nowshera’s concerns are addressed,” he said.

Shah urged the people to ensure Raina's victory, promising that the entire Nowshera region would be developed. “There is a demand for a District Collector in Nowshera and if Raina wins by a margin of over 20,000 votes, the demand will be fulfilled,” he promised.

“For 30 years, terrorism gripped J&K, with 3000 days of curfew and 40,000 lives lost. During this time, where was Farooq Abdullah? He was vacationing in London while Kashmir was burning. After Narendra Modi came to power, terrorists were eliminated one by one. The BJP not only has a future development agenda, but has also proven its work in the last 10 years,” he said.

Union Home Minister mentioned, “It is only under Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji’s leadership that people currently have a Rs 5 lakh golden card, which will soon be increased to Rs 10 lakh. The poor are receiving 5 kg of food grains, and farmers get Rs 6,000, which will rise to Rs 10,000. The BJP has worked to ensure every household has access to water, electricity, security, roads, bridges and new educational facilities.”

He said that in Jammu, Rs 25,200 crore were invested in 3000 MW hydro projects. “Jammu now boasts of AIIMS, IIM, NIFT, IIT, a Unani hospital, eight new colleges, and 24 new colleges. The world’s highest railway bridge is on the Chenab River, the longest transportation tunnel is in Pir Panjal and Jammu ranks third in the country for rural roads,” he said.

He announced that the Prime Minister decided to connect even small populations of 50 people in the hilly regions with permanent roads, a development that would greatly benefit the Nowshera area.

Taking a dig at Congress, he said that former Home Minister and Congress leader Sushil Kumar Shinde admitted fearing to visit the Lal Chowk, but under the Modi government, anyone could walk there without fear, as security greatly improved under BJP rule.

He highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s transformative impact in Jammu & Kashmir, stating, “After 30 years, cinema theatres now operate at night in the Valley, and after 35 years, Tazia processions, Janmashtami celebrations and Ganesh Chaturthi are being held again. Over 2 crore pilgrims now visit Jammu and Kashmir annually. The BJP also promises to develop two new tourist towns on the Pahari side in Jammu, similar to Pahalgam.”

He also mentioned significant infrastructure developments such as the construction of National Highway 144A, the establishment of a Mother and Child Care Hospital in Lamberi, and the addition of 100 beds at Nowshera’s Mandal Hospital, a government degree college built by Ravinder Raina.

“If you elect Ravinder Raina, under the ‘Maa Samman Yojana’, the senior-most woman in any household would receive a yearly cheque of Rs 18,000,” he said, while enlisting other promises made in the BJP manifesto.

Shah urged voters to support the BJP and elect Shri Ravinder Raina with a strong majority for the region's development, peace and security and to deliver a strong response to terrorism and Pakistan.

Earlier at the very outset of his address, he said, “I was supposed to leave Jammu after addressing five rallies yesterday. But then someone suggested that I should address an election rally in the constituency of Ravinder Raina, who always remains concerned about Nowshera and fights for the rights of its people. Vote for him and your all issues and concerns will be addressed.”