Union Home Minister Amit Shah took to social media on Monday to condemn Congress and Pakistan’s alleged alignment on the issue of Article 370 and 35A, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir before its abrogation in 2019. Shah’s tweet came after Pakistan’s Defence Minister made a statement suggesting that Congress and the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) support the restoration of these provisions, a stance Shah claims exposes Congress’s intentions.

In his strongly worded tweet, Shah accused Congress of standing with anti-India forces and aligning its agenda with that of Pakistan. “Pakistan’s Defence Minister’s statement about Congress and JKNC’s support on Article 370 and 35A has once again exposed Congress. This statement has once again made it clear that Congress and Pakistan have the same intentions and agenda,” tweeted Shah, pointing towards a deep-rooted connection between Congress’s stance on Kashmir and Pakistan’s geopolitical objectives.

Rahul Gandhi Accused of Standing with Anti-India Forces

Amit Shah also directly attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, alleging that for years, Gandhi has sided with forces that work against India’s interests. “For the last few years, Rahul Gandhi has been standing with every anti-India force, hurting the sentiments of the countrymen,” Shah said in his tweet, indicating that Congress’s leadership has consistently failed to align itself with the sentiments of the nation, particularly on sensitive issues like Kashmir.

The Home Minister’s tweet also touched upon the implications of Congress’s stance on Article 370, which was scrapped by the Modi Government as part of its broader vision to integrate Jammu and Kashmir fully into India’s constitutional framework. The abrogation of Article 370, which had long been a contentious issue, was hailed by the BJP as a historic decision aimed at bringing peace and development to the region.

Congress’s Alleged Alignment with Pakistan’s Agenda

Shah’s tweet highlighted Pakistan’s Defence Minister’s remarks as evidence of Congress’s shared agenda with Pakistan. He stressed that Congress and Pakistan “forget that there is a Modi Government at the centre,” implying that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, neither Article 370 nor terrorism will return to Kashmir. “Congress Party and Pakistan forget that there is Modi Government at the centre, hence neither Article 370 nor terrorism is going to return in Kashmir,” Shah asserted, signaling the government’s unwavering stance on the issue of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Political Reactions and Controversy

This latest confrontation between the BJP and Congress comes at a time when political tensions are high, particularly around the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. The abrogation of Article 370 continues to be a major flashpoint in Indian politics, with opposition parties like Congress and regional parties like JKNC calling for its reinstatement, while the ruling BJP remains firm on its decision.

Congress is yet to officially respond to Amit Shah’s tweet, but the statement is expected to stir further debate in political circles. Analysts believe that the upcoming state elections, as well as the 2024 general elections, will likely see Kashmir as a central theme, with the BJP positioning itself as the party that brought stability and progress to the region.

With Shah’s tweet making headlines, the issue of Article 370 has once again become a focal point of political discourse in India. As the BJP continues to defend its decision to abrogate the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, Congress will have to navigate the growing allegations of its alignment with Pakistan’s views, a narrative the BJP is keen to promote ahead of the upcoming elections.