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Union Minister Jitendra Singh has virtually echoed sentiments of his cabinet colleague , Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on merging Pakistan Occupied Kashmir with India.
“As the parliament has unanimously agreed, let us free Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and merge it with India. Let us pray to the almighty that we get the chance to see this in our lifetime,” Singh said.
This comes after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that PoK will be on top of the agenda if talks are held with Pakistan in future. He added that dialogue will only be held if the neighbouring nation stops supporting terror.
“Why should there be talks? On what issues there would be talks? Talks with Pakistan would begin only after it stops patronising terrorism. If talks begin, it would now only be on the PoK and no other issue,” he said.
Further, Defending the Centre’s decision to scrap special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution and divide the state into two union territories, Singh said, “Nothing happened overnight. The bill was prepared by knowledgeable persons after thorough research of Article 370 and the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution.”
“Clause 3 of Article 370 empowers the President to declare any part of the provision inoperative totally or by exception anytime. It is in Jammu and Kashmir Constitution as well. Article 366 makes it clear that in the absence of Assembly, the governor is the legal authority,” he added.
