In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s recent verdict supporting the government’s decision to revoke Article 370, Amit Shah, the Home Minister, pointed fingers at India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, attributing significant errors on the Kashmir issue. However, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has dismissed Shah’s historical perspective, accusing him of having a “habit of rewriting history.”
Rahul Gandhi’s Response: A Defense of Nehru’s Legacy
Reacting to Amit Shah’s comments, Rahul Gandhi defended Pandit Nehru’s legacy, emphasizing the sacrifices and contributions Nehru made to India. Gandhi asserted that Nehru’s dedication to the country, including imprisonment during the struggle for independence, speaks volumes about his commitment. Dismissing Shah’s remarks, Rahul Gandhi stated, “Amit Shah is unaware of history,” and criticized Shah’s tendency to rewrite historical narratives.
Shah’s Accusations Against Nehru
Amit Shah, addressing Nehru’s role in Kashmir, highlighted what he termed as “two major blunders” by the former Prime Minister. Shah pointed to Nehru’s declaration of a ceasefire during a war with Pakistan and taking the Kashmir issue to the United Nations. Shah argued that these decisions had far-reaching consequences, leading to the creation of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and emphasizing that the entire region could have been India’s if not for the untimely ceasefire.
Gandhi’s Counterpoints and Critique
In response to Amit Shah’s accusations, Rahul Gandhi questioned the selective focus on Kashmir, asking why Nehru did not intervene in other regions facing challenges. Gandhi raised instances like Hyderabad, Lakshadweep, Junagarh, and Jodhpur, questioning Nehru’s absence in these situations. Rahul Gandhi emphasized that Shah’s comments were a diversionary tactic from more pressing issues and labeled it as a habit of rewriting history to suit political narratives.
Supreme Court’s Verdict and Shah’s Stand
Amit Shah, one of the architects of the Article 370 revocation in 2019, claimed that the recent Supreme Court verdict vindicated the government’s stand. He reiterated that the government’s move aimed to mainstream Jammu and Kashmir, ultimately improving the lives of its residents. Shah argued that Article 370 had fueled separatism in the region, and the court’s judgment recognized its temporary nature, intended solely for the smooth integration of Jammu and Kashmir into India.
As the political discourse unfolds, the contrasting perspectives on Nehru’s role in Kashmir continue to spark debates. Rahul Gandhi’s defense of Nehru’s legacy and Amit Shah’s historical critique set the stage for a nuanced discussion of India’s past and its impact on its present political landscape.
