Gujarat, May 27 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the roots of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir can be traced back to 1947, and asserted that the issue could have been contained had the advice of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel been followed at the time.
Addressing a public gathering in Gujarat, the Prime Minister said that the first major act of terrorism occurred soon after Partition, and what India is experiencing today is a continuation of the same threat that has evolved over decades.
“The first terrorist attack happened right after Partition. The terrorists should have been dealt with effectively in 1947,” Modi said.
He emphasized that Sardar Patel, India’s first Home Minister, had advocated for a firm military response and urged that the Indian Army not stop until Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) was reclaimed. However, Modi alleged that the then Congress government ignored Patel’s advice.
“It was Sardar Patel’s firm view that the army should not halt until PoK was taken back. But his words were not heeded,” the Prime Minister added.
Modi’s remarks come amid renewed political discourse on historical decisions related to Kashmir, as his government continues to highlight the legacy of Sardar Patel in contrast to that of the Nehru-led leadership post-independence.
