Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has claimed that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was responsible for turning Jammu and Kashmir into a long-standing problem for India. Adityanath said
Kashmir was under Nehru’s direct control after Independence and that his decisions made the issue highly controversial.
He alleged that the situation created at the time continues to trouble the country even today. According to Adityanath, extremism and separatism in Kashmir emerged because of the approach taken by the first Prime Minister.
Adityanath made these remarks while addressing an event marking the 75th death anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Home Minister. He praised Patel’s role in integrating more than 560 princely states into the Indian Union after Independence.
Referring to Junagadh and Hyderabad, Adityanath said both princely states were successfully merged into India through Patel’s leadership and wisdom. He described the process as a “bloodless revolution” that ensured national unity.
He added that had Sardar Patel been given responsibility for Jammu and Kashmir instead of Nehru, the issue would not have arisen in the first place.
Article 370 and Modi government
The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said the country is grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for fulfilling the vision of Sardar Patel and Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee. He said the abrogation of Article 370 made Jammu and Kashmir an integral part of India.
According to Adityanath, the move strengthened the idea of “one nation, one constitution and one flag”, and corrected what he described as historical mistakes.
Yogi slams Pakistan
Adityanath also criticised Pakistan, warning that its existence would be at risk if it tried to challenge India. He said the time had come for the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to gain freedom and claimed it would soon become part of India.
Responding to remarks by terror accused Hafiz Saeed, Adityanath said Pakistan had already suffered several defeats and should avoid provoking India. He also said India should take a firm stand on the issue of Balochistan.
Attack on Congress
Commenting on senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh’s reference to “India-occupied Kashmir”, Adityanath said such remarks reflected the Congress party’s mindset. He once again held the party responsible for the Kashmir problem, saying its past decisions had harmed the nation’s interests.
