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New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday, while releasing the book ‘J&K and Ladakh Through the Ages’ on Thursday, remarked that Jammu and Kashmir could be named after sage Kashyap. He said that the country has gained independence and that the right things should be presented to the people.
He criticized the provisions of Article 370 and Article 35A, saying they hindered India’s unity. He said there was no majority in the Constituent Assembly on these articles and as a result, they were made temporary. According to Shah, these provisions promoted separatism in Jammu and Kashmir, severing its ties with the rest of India and fostering terrorism.
However, he said, the Modi government’s removal of Article 370 had diminished terrorism and paved the way for development in the region. “Article 370 and 35A, were the articles that stopped the unison of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country… PM Modi’s strong resolution abrogated Article 370… This began the development of Jammu and Kashmir along with the rest of the country.
Shah also talked about the cultural significance of Jammu and Kashmir in India’s history. He said that the region’s connection to Indian culture is evident through references to Adi Shankaracharya, the Silk Route and Hemish Matha, which showcase Kashmir’s historical importance. Shah added that languages like Kashmiri, Dogri, Balti, and Jhankari were officially recognised, thanking Prime Minister Modi for supporting the initiative.
He further said that India is unique in having cultural, rather than geopolitical, borders. He added that cultural unity spans from Jammu and Kashmir to Kanyakumari and is rooted in centuries of shared heritage. The book, he said, highlights the presence of Indian culture throughout Jammu and Kashmir and stresses that India’s border is defined by cultural tradition, not just geography.
Shah reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir has always been, and will remain, an integral part of India. He cited the destruction of temples in Ladakh and the use of Sanskrit in Jammu and Kashmir as evidence of the region’s deep connection to Indian civilization. The book also addresses mistakes made post-independence, which have since been rectified.
