The Ghazipur MP criticises the Modi government’s handling of security issues in Kashmir
NEW DELHI/GHAZIPUR – In a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi government, Samajwadi Party MP Afzal Ansari has berated the Centre for not foreseeing the recent terror attack in South Kashmir’s Pahalgam. At the same time, he has offered some suggestions on the future of Kashmir.
Speaking at a political gathering in his Lok Sabha constituency, Ghazipur, Ansari said the time has come to merge the part of Kashmir, currently under Pakistani control (PoK), with India.
Ansari expressed his concerns over the continued infiltration of foreign terrorists into India, particularly in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. “Months have passed, yet the farmers are not allowed to enter Delhi, but foreign terrorists easily cross the border, travel hundreds of kilometres inside India, and conduct horrific attacks with no serious resistance,” he said. His comments reflect increasing frustrations with what he described as the government’s failure to protect the nation’s security.
In a bold declaration, Ansari stated that if the Modi government continues to hesitate in taking decisive action on Kashmir, he is ready to take matters into his own hands. “If the government is afraid, let them tell us. The people of the country are ready,” said Ansari. “I will take a group of 10,000 soldiers from Ghazipur and Ballia to reclaim Kashmir from those who have occupied it through deceit and fraud.” He insisted that the Indian government had been too hesitant in asserting control over the region and suggested that Ghazipur’s youth could lead the charge in an effort to reclaim the PoK.
His passionate remarks, while controversial, reflect a sense of urgency over what he perceives as a prolonged inaction by the central government regarding Kashmir. He added, “After independence, a border line was drawn. On this side is India, and on the other side is Azad Kashmir and Pakistan. As a descendant of Brigadier Usman, I wish that the part which is left should be included within the Indian border.” This statement invoked a legacy of nationalistic sentiment, with Ansari positioning himself as a defender of India’s territorial integrity.
Ansari also sharply criticised the Modi government’s handling of security in Pahalgam. “The government claims that not even a bird can fly there without its knowledge, but the terrorists entered and executed the attack with no resistance,” he lamented. He pointed to the fact that a BJP MP had recently visited Pahalgam, and while there, he was provided heavy security. “After the return of the BJP MP, more than 2,000 tourists came to the area, and shortly after, the terrorists entered. There was not a single soldier to counter them with gunfire. This government is fooling the public,” said Ansari.
His criticisms have sparked a renewed debate over the adequacy of security in regions like Pahalgam, which are often considered tourist hotspots but have increasingly become the targets of terrorist activities.
The Ghazipur MP also weighed in on the Modi government’s controversial decision to halt the flow of water from the Indus River into Pakistan. “Can the water be stopped? Have we created any system to block the river’s flow? Who are they fooling?” Ansari asked, casting doubt on the feasibility of such a move. He pointed out that with the monsoon season just around the corner, it would be impossible to halt the water flow, warning that any attempt to do so could lead to floods in India instead.
“This is just a gimmick to fool the public,” Ansari remarked, further questioning the effectiveness of such announcements in addressing the real issues facing the country.
Afzal Ansari’s outspoken criticism of both the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the Modi government’s approach to national security has struck a chord with many of his supporters, particularly in Ghazipur and surrounding areas. His call to action, proposing to lead 10,000 youth from his constituency to take back Kashmir, while provocative, is a rallying cry for those who feel that the government has failed in its duty to safeguard the country’s interests.
As the debate over the future of Kashmir and national security continues to escalate, Ansari’s comments serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions between political leaders, security forces, and the public over how best to address these critical issues. Whether his call for action will gain traction remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly adds fuel to the already heated discussions about India’s role in the Kashmir conflict and its broader national security strategy.
