Ready for talks with Pak if it stops terrorism: Rajnath

Banihal (J&K): India is ready to start dialogue with Pakistan if it stops terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday.

Addressing a rally in this assembly segment of Ramban district in support of BJP candidate Mohd Saleem Bhat, Singh said Article 370 of the Constitution, which granted special status to J&K, was revoked to end the misery of the people and make the region prosperous. This provision will not be restored as long as the BJP is there, he asserted.

In their election manifestos, the National Conference and the PDP have called for talks with Pakistan. Without naming the parties, Singh said, "Some people want us to talk with Pakistan. I want to tell them... Pakistan should stop taking support of terrorism."

"Who would not like to improve relations with neighbouring countries? Because I know the reality that you can change a friend but not your neighbour. We want improved relations with Pakistan but first of all they should stop terrorism," he told the well-attended gathering here.

The Defence Minister said when Pakistan stops sponsoring terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, India will start dialogue with them. "Among those who fell to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, 85 percent were Muslims. Terror incidents used to be a routine affair in Kashmir. Were Hindus being killed in the terror acts? I have been a home minister, and I know the highest number of Muslims lost their lives in the incidents of terror," Singh said. Earlier in the day, the Defence Minister addressed an election rally in nearby Ramban in support of party candidate Rakesh Singh Thakur and said more than 40,000 people have lost their lives in terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir over the past three decades.

Bhat is pitted against former Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president and ex-minister Vikar Rasool Wani who is looking for a hat-trick of wins from the Banihal seat. National Conference's Sjjad Shaheen and the PDP's Imtiyaz Shan make it a multi-cornered contest.

Accusing the NC and PDP of having sympathy for terrorists, Singh said the BJP finished terrorism in J&K to a large extent. "We will not tolerate terror activities at any cost. Is taking the lives of Hindus, Muslims or Christian by terrorists is acceptable to you?" the Defence Minister said.

Reiterating BJP's assertion that Article 370 has become a history, and resolve that it can never be restored, Rajnath said: "We have finished this constitutional provision to end your misery and bring prosperity to J&K. What Article 370 gave to you? The Congress, NC and the PDP used it to mislead you. Who has created the atmosphere of terror in J&K – the BJP or those who ruled J&K for a long time?"