J&K polls: Article 370 is history, no one can bring it back, says Amit Shah

Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday said that Article 370 is history and no one can bring it back. He also said that India is not in favour of talks with Pakistan until terrorism ends, emphasising that "talks and bombs cannot go together".

"We are not in favour of talks with Pakistan until terrorism ends. Talks and bombs cannot go together. We will definitely talk to the youth of Kashmir," he said while replying to a media query here.

On restoration of cross-LoC trade, Shah said: "Until terrorism ends... A trade-terror eco-system is formed, we cannot agree with that."


Shah also launched BJP's manifesto for Jammu and Kashmir (see graphics for details). On exploring post-poll alliances, Shah said BJP would not join hands with three 'family-based parties' - PDP, NC and Congress. He said as per BJP's assessment none of the three will get a majority. "BJP will explore all other options," Shah said.

Taking on National Conference over its manifesto, Shah said no one can "touch the reservation granted to Gujjars, Bakerwals, Pahadis, OBCs and SCs of Jammu and Kashmir". He said, "The agenda of NC cannot get implemented on the ground. Article 370 is the past. It is history. Nobody can bring it back."

On J&K statehood, Shah said: "I have stated this on the floor of the House that statehood would be restored at an appropriate time."

On rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, Shah said: "We will look for complete rehabilitation. Many Kashmiri Pandits and people from the Sikh community who left when terrorism was at its peak were forced to sell their properties. We have already started working in this regard - either returning their properties or providing them amount for their properties. We are towards the completion of rehabilitation of 6,000 people."

"For years, Kashmir echoed with gunfire and bomb blasts. That changed in the last 10 years. Between 2004 and 2014, there were 7,217 terror-related incidents, but from 2014 to 2024, the number dropped to 2,272 - a 70% decrease. Killings fell by 76%, civilian casualties by 80 per cent, and there's been a significant drop in security force casualties," Shah said.