Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has sharpened his criticism of the Congress party, directly holding Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, responsible for the enduring issues of extremism and separatism in Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking at a recent event, Adityanath alleged that Nehru's handling of the region created a "controversial" situation that continues to plague the nation even decades after independence.

Adityanath's criticism centers on the premise that Nehru sidelined the vision of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Home Minister of India, in integrating princely states. He argued that Patel successfully integrated over 500 princely states without creating long-term problems, while Nehru's independent approach to Jammu and Kashmir resulted in a crisis that persists to this day. Adityanath has repeatedly stated that if Patel's policies had been followed, the situation in Kashmir would be diametrically opposite.

The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister has claimed that Nehru's policies led to the introduction of extremism and separatism in Kashmir. He has also criticized the Congress, National Conference (NC), and People's Democratic Party (PDP) for their alleged handling of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that these parties offered a "slap" instead of support to the region's youth. Adityanath has stated that Article 370, which was revoked by the BJP-led government in 2019, was the root cause of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. He has urged the Congress and Samajwadi Party to clarify their stance on the Jammu and Kashmir assembly resolution for the restoration of special status.

Adityanath's line of attack is not new. BJP leaders have frequently blamed Nehru for the continuing crisis in Jammu and Kashmir, often contrasting his approach with that of Patel. They have also criticized the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime for its "inadequate response" to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. Adityanath has lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, claiming that things are now different under his "decisive leadership". He has praised Modi for giving the armed forces a free hand after the Pulwama attack, contrasting it with the "weak-kneed response" of the previous Congress-led UPA government during the Mumbai attacks.

The Congress party has often been critical of Adityanath's governance and statements. Following Adityanath's remarks cautioning voters that Uttar Pradesh could become like Kashmir, Kerala, and Bengal if they made a mistake, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi countered that India is beautiful in all its colors and should not be insulted.

Adityanath's criticism of Nehru and the Congress party comes in the context of ongoing political debates about the handling of Jammu and Kashmir and the legacy of past leaders. His statements are likely to further fuel these debates and contribute to the ongoing political discourse surrounding the region.