Amit Shah: Kashmir’s Ancient Roots Prove Its Unbreakable Bond with India

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a book called “J&K and Ladakh Through the Ages” in New Delhi on Thursday and spoke about how deeply connected Jammu & Kashmir is to India. He said India’s history is thousands of years old, but during British rule, efforts were made to erase our culture and history.

 

 

 

Shah explained that India is different from other countries because it’s united by culture, not just borders. He said, From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, we are all connected by culture, and Kashmir has always been a part of India. Ancient texts from 8,000 years ago mention Kashmir and the Jhelum River. No one can separate it from India.

 

 

 

Shah thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for abrogating Article 370, which he described as the biggest hurdle in uniting Kashmir with the rest of India. Article 370 sowed the seeds of separatism, which later turned into terrorism. After its removal, terrorism has reduced by 70%, he said. Shah added that the Modi government has also eliminated the ecosystem that supported terrorism in J&K.

 

He also mentioned how PM Modi announced an Rs 80,000 crore development package for Jammu and Kashmir, which has helped the region grow and become like the rest of the country.

 

 

Shah said Kashmir has always been important culturally. Its ancient temples, Sanskrit texts, and its role in spreading Buddhism prove its Indian roots. He also talked about the Dogra dynasty and Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s rule, saying this book covers 8,000 years of history, including mistakes made after 1947 and how they were fixed.

 

 

Shah thanked PM Modi for promoting local languages in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. “By making two Union Territories, the PM ensured that every language spoken in Kashmir is given importance,” he said.

 

 

Shah ended by asking people to tell India’s history truthfully. “Historians wrote what they wanted, but now it’s our job to show the truth with facts. Kashmir, often called the land of Kashyap, might even have been named after him. This shows how deeply rooted Kashmir is in India’s cultural and historical heritage,” he said.