Are relations with Pakistan on the mend? A day earlier, Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir admitted about the Kargil war, which all Pakistani generals had so far hidden from the whole world. Aseem Munir clearly said that the Pakistan Army had a hand in the Kargil war. His soldiers were killed. The very next day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced from the soil of Jammu and Kashmir that talks can be held with Pakistan if it gives up terror. It says a lot. Pakistan has realised that there is nothing left for it in Kashmir. Strong participation of the people in the ongoing elections in Jammu and Kashmir has completed the task. All his hopes seem to be dashed, in such a situation he seems to accept the reality. What did Rajnath Singh say and what does it mean?

“The BJP has paved the way for peace and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir by removing Article 370 on a stick injury,” Rajnath Singh said in Ramban. No one can bring back Article 370. In a message to the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Rajnath Singh said, “Pakistan considers them foreigners, but they are our people. They should come with us. We will create such an atmosphere in Kashmir that one day the people of PoK will also come with India. The message to the people of PoK is like the last nail in Pakistan’s coffin. There are protests against Pakistan in PoK. The administration there is not able to handle Pakistan.

Rajnath Singh gave a direct message to the whole world along with Pakistan by referring to the Kashmir election. “This election is not just about India, it is about the entire world. I was in the US recently. The representatives there also wanted to know from me about the Jammu and Kashmir elections. And so they have an eye. A sample of how the people of Jammu and Kashmir now celebrate in the elections was seen in the Lok Sabha elections. When Article 370 was imposed here, only 6% to 12% voting used to take place. The Lok Sabha election saw a voter turnout of 58%. In Ladakh, the voter turnout was 72%. For the first time, people here voted fearlessly. Rajnath Singh’s message assumes significance as Pakistan has been repeatedly referring to Article 370 and singing it in front of the world People of Kashmir are upset with the abrogation of Article 370. Now Rajnath has responded to it by voting.

Hurriyat also responded.
“We did everything possible for peace in Kashmir. Our MPs went to the door of Hurriyat but they did not open the door. We withdrew cases against innocent children. They took sincere steps to improve the situation in Kashmir, but these people did not cooperate. Because Kashmiri leaders were always sympathetic towards terrorists. Let me tell you that until some time ago, a section considered Hurriyat as their leader, but now people have understood. Now neither does his bandh get support nor do people go to his rallies. On this occasion, Rajnath Singh also targeted Omar Abdullah. “Today Omar Abdullah says Afzal Guru should not have been hanged. Should she have worn garlands?