Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Mar 21: Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday reaffirmed the Modi government's "zero tolerance" policy towards terrorism while criticizing past regimes for their soft stance on the issue.
Replying to the debate on the ministry of home affairs' performance in the Rajya Sabha, Shah highlighted key decisions, including the abrogation of article 370, which he said had brought lasting peace to Jammu and Kashmir.
"The involvement of locals with terrorists has completely ended after the removal of article 370, marking the restoration of peace in the entire region," Shah asserted. He further noted that terrorist glorification, once rampant during the UPA era, had ceased under the NDA government.
Citing statistics, he said terror-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir had declined sharply from 7,217 between 2004-2014 to 2,242 between 2014-2024 reflecting a 70% drop in casualties.
Paying tribute to security personnel, the home minister acknowledged their sacrifices in strengthening national security. "Thanks to their dedication, India is now poised to play a crucial role on the global stage," he said.
Shah also spoke about legacy issues such as left-wing extremism and insurgencies in the Northeast, stating that these had hindered India's progress. "Under PM Modi, we have eradicated these obstacles," he declared.
On Jammu and Kashmir, Shah recalled a time when terrorist attacks were frequent, especially during religious festivals. He highlighted India's decisive action post-Pulwama, including surgical and airstrikes, as examples of the government's tough stance.
Discussing article 370, Shah credited PM Modi for taking the bold step of its removal on August 5, 2019, leading to the full integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India. He pointed to the revival of cinema halls, peaceful celebration of major festivals, and the successful hosting of G20 events as indicators of the region's transformation.
"Jammu and Kashmir is now thriving in peace. The rate of terrorist attacks has significantly decreased, and we have dismantled local networks aiding terrorism," he added.
Shah also detailed economic progress in the region, reporting the creation of over 40,000 government jobs and 1.51 lac self-employment opportunities from 2019 to 2024. He noted that investments worth Rs 12,000 cr had materialized on the ground, with MoUs worth Rs 1.1 lac cr signed, boosting industrial growth in the union territory.