New Delhi, Mar 27 :
In a significant development in Jammu and Kashmir, two more groups affiliated with Hurriyat Conference– J&K Tahreeqi Isteqlal and J&K Tahreek-I-Istiqamat– have renounced separatism and expressed their faith in the vision of “new Bharat” being built under leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah welcomed the decision, calling it a reflection of the diminishing influence of separatism in the region.
“Another great news from Kashmir Valley. Two more groups affiliated with the Hurriyat, namely J&K Tahreeqi Isteqlal and J&K Tahreek-I-Istiqamat, have discarded separatism and reposed their trust in the new Bharat built by PM Shri @narendramodi Ji. Under the Modi government, separatism is breathing its last, and the triumph of unity is echoing across Kashmir,” Shah said in a post on X.
The move is being seen as a major success for the government’s efforts to tackle separatism and restore lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir which has faced cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan.
Two organisations affiliated to Hurriyat Conference had earlier announced that they are severing ties with the outfit.
J&K People’s Movement and the Democratic Political Movement– had announced severing ties with the separatist outfit on March 25.
Amit Shah had termed the development a big victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of building India into a developed, peaceful and unified country.
“Separatism has become history in Kashmir. The unifying policies of the Modi government have tossed separatism out of J&K. Two organizations associated with the Hurriyat have announced the severing of all ties with separatism. I welcome this step towards strengthening Bharat’s unity and urge all such groups to come forward and shed separatism once and for all. It is a big victory for PM Shri @narendramodi Ji’s vision of building a developed, peaceful and unified Bharat,” he had said.
The Home Ministry decided on March 11 to ban two organisations–the Awami Action Committee, led by prominent Kashmiri cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and the Jammu and Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen, headed by Shia leader Masroor Abbas Ansari–for five years over alleged anti-national activities.
Amit Shah told Parliament earlier this week that from 2019 to 2024 , 14 major Hurriyat-linked organisations were banned.
He made the remarks during a discussion on the MHA’s functioning in the Rajya Sabha on March 21.
Shah criticized previous governments for their “lenient” approach towards terrorism, alleging they avoided strong actions due to fear of losing vote bank.
In contrast, he emphasized that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism has been firmly implemented.
Meanwhile, The Union government is set to launch ‘Sahkar taxi’, a cooperative-run ride-hailing service as an alternative to Uber and Ola, across the country. Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah announced this in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. He said this initiative is in line with ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi” and said “In the coming months, we are going to launch a government cooperative sarkar taxi service like Ola and Uber. The service will register two-wheeler taxis, rickshaws, as well as four-wheeler taxis. The profits from this service will not go to any corporations but will go solely to the drivers of the vehicles,” The Home Minister emphasized that “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” is not just a slogan, and the Ministry of Cooperation has worked day and night over the past three and a half years to materialise it. He also stated that a cooperative insurance company is soon going to be formed, which will handle insurance within the cooperative system of the country. Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated on Thursday that the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, will strengthen the country’s internal security and seeks to eliminate the multiplicity and overlapping of laws. Replying to the debate on the bill in Lok Sabha, Amit Shah said India is not a ‘Dharamshala’ and those who pose a threat to the national security will not be allowed to enter the country. “Those who pose a threat to the national security will not be allowed to enter the nation. The nation is not a ‘Dharamshala'(rest house)…If someone comes to the nation to give its contribute to the development of the nation, they are always welcome,” he said. The bill was later passed by the House. He said whether it is Rohingyas or Bangladeshis, if they come to India to create unrest, strict action will be taken against them.
“In the last ten years, India has become the fifth-largest economy. India has emerged as a bright spot among the world’s largest economies. India has become a hub of manufacturing and it is natural for people from all over the world to come to India… The number of people taking refuge in India for personal gain and making the country unsafe has also increased… Be it Rohingyas or Bangladeshis, if they come to India to create unrest, strict action will be taken against them,” he said.
“Immigration is not a separate issue. Many issues of the country are linked to it… From the point of view of national security, it is very important to know who enters the nation’s border… We will also keep a close watch on those who will endanger the security of the country,” he added.
Amit Shah referred to Citizenship Amendment Act and said people from six oppressed communities from neighbouring countries are taking refuge in the country through the law.
“India is a geo-cultural nation, not a geo-political nation… Persians came to India and are safe in the country today. The world’s smallest minority community is safe only in India. Jews fled from Israel and stayed in India,” he said.
“Immigration is not an isolated issue. For the security of India, we must know who is entering our country, for how long, and for what reasons. These concepts are not new; such rights have been mentioned in various laws, and we have now integrated them. With the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, we will establish a detailed and structured system to track every foreigner entering the country. This will help us develop the nation and monitor those coming for business. It will also allow us to keep a sharp eye on individuals who may pose a threat to our security,” he added.
