Prime Minister Narendra Modi has intensified his criticism of the Congress party regarding the issue of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), asserting that PoK is a "legacy of Nehru" and questioning why the Indian Army failed to reclaim the region. This comes amidst a broader debate about India's national security and the government's approach to dealing with terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
Modi's remarks were a direct response to questions raised by Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, who inquired why the government halted Operation Sindoor before reclaiming PoK. Operation Sindoor was a military operation launched by the Indian Army to neutralize terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. Modi, in turn, accused the Congress of lacking a clear vision for national security and of "compromising" on the issue of PoK. He stated that the Congress should first clarify how they allowed Pakistan to occupy the region in the first place.
The Prime Minister further argued that India continues to suffer from the consequences of decisions made by previous Congress governments, particularly those of Jawaharlal Nehru. He claimed that these governments missed opportunities to reclaim PoK, even when India had Pakistani soldiers in custody. Modi also criticized Nehru's handling of the Indus Waters Treaty, suggesting it unfairly favored Pakistan. Union Home Minister Amit Shah echoed this sentiment, asserting that PoK exists today because of Nehru's decision to announce a unilateral ceasefire during the 1948 conflict with Pakistan.
Modi also accused the Congress of echoing Pakistani narratives and undermining the morale of the Indian armed forces. He claimed that the Congress and its allies have become spokespersons for Pakistani propaganda, even questioning the origins of the Pahalgam attackers. He contrasted this with the support India received from the international community following the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, stating that "While the world stood with India, the Congress did not".
The history of PoK dates back to 1947, during the partition of India. The princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, under Maharaja Hari Singh, initially chose to remain independent. However, an uprising in Poonch, followed by an invasion by Pashtun tribesmen backed by the Pakistani Army, led the Maharaja to seek assistance from India. India agreed to help on the condition that Jammu and Kashmir accede to India, which the Maharaja did by signing the Instrument of Accession on October 26, 1947. This led to the first Indo-Pakistani War, which resulted in a UN-mediated ceasefire and the division of the region along the Line of Control (LoC). The area under Pakistani control became known as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
India maintains that PoK is illegally occupied territory and has repeatedly asserted its sovereignty over the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has stated that India is committed to reclaiming PoK, expressing confidence that "the day is not far when the people of PoK will become a part of India again". The Modi government has adopted a strategy to strengthen national security and effectively deal with terrorism, vowing to eradicate terrorism in all its forms.
