Rajnath Singh Urges PoK Citizens to Join India; Jammu and Kashmir to Hold Assembly Elections After Many Years
Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh addressed a public meeting today to campaign for the upcoming election. During his speech, he appealed to the residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to become part of India. “We consider you as our own, but Pakistan treats you as foreign nationals,” Singh stated, referencing an affidavit filed by Pakistan’s Additional Solicitor General that referred to PoK as a foreign territory.
While speaking at a public rally for BJP candidate Rakesh Singh Thakur in the Pamban Legislative Assembly, Singh highlighted the significant changes in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. He mentioned that security in the Union Territory had vastly improved. “Now, instead of pistols and guns, children in the Jammu and Kashmir Valley are holding laptops and computers. No one dares to open fire in Srinagar anymore,” he emphasized.
He further urged the people to help form a BJP government in Jammu and Kashmir, promising unprecedented development. Singh expressed confidence that this development would inspire residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to seek reunification with India, saying, “When they see the progress here, people in PoK will say, ‘We don’t want to stay with Pakistan, we want to join India.'”
In the Pamban Assembly elections, BJP candidate Thakur faces competition from National Conference candidate Arjun Singh Raju and independent candidate Suraj Singh Parihar.
Assembly Elections After Ten Years
Rajnath Singh noted that the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are being held after a decade, drawing the attention of not just India but the entire world. He praised the hard work and skills of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, expressing optimism that the region could rise to the top under BJP governance.
Singh also highlighted the successful G20 conference held in Srinagar last year, which showcased to the world that Kashmir is not a hub of terrorism, but of tourism.
