Union Home Minister Amit Shah made a pointed comment about senior Congress leader Sushil Kumar Shinde. At an election rally in Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir, Shah mocked Shinde’s past fears, stating that the former Home Minister could now safely stroll through Srinagar’s Lal Chowk. “Sushil Kumar Shinde, who served as Home Minister during the Congress government, previously admitted that he was afraid to visit Lal Chowk. Shinde sahib, now you can walk through Lal Chowk with your children without any fear,” Shah said.

Shinde’s Recent Remarks

Shinde’s comments came in the context of a recent event where he discussed his past apprehensions about visiting Kashmir. He revealed that even as Home Minister under the Congress-led UPA government, he felt uneasy about traveling in the region. “Before I became Home Minister, I sought advice from educationist Vijay Dhar. He suggested I visit Lal Chowk, meet people, and explore Dal Lake. Following his advice helped me gain publicity as a fearless Home Minister, but I was genuinely scared,” Shinde shared during the launch of his memoir in Delhi on September 10.

Government’s Position on Article 370

The BJP-led NDA government has attributed the reduction in militancy in Jammu and Kashmir to its decision to abrogate Article 370. In contrast, the Congress and National Conference, who are preparing for the upcoming Assembly election, criticize this move as a betrayal of the people’s trust and have pledged to reinstate the article if they come to power.