Indian Defence Minister’s Remarks on AJK: A Distortion of Reality

Rajnath Singh’s latest comments on Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) expose India’s hyper-nationalistic rhetoric, aimed at stirring domestic sentiment rather than acknowledging geopolitical realities.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s remarks on AJK reflect the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) hyper-nationalistic agenda. His assertion that “the people of POK will demand to merge with India” and that Pakistan will be “forced to accept it” is legally unfounded. These statements distort historical and geopolitical realities to serve domestic political interests.

Pakistan strongly dismisses the baseless accusations and misleading claims made by India’s Defence Minister. Singh’s remarks lack legal backing and ignore internationally recognized facts. Jammu and Kashmir remains a disputed territory, and its final status must be determined according to United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

India’s leadership cannot use aggressive rhetoric to divert attention from the serious human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The Kashmiri people continue to suffer oppression as they struggle for their right to self-determination. India’s claims over AJK have no legal or moral legitimacy, as they directly violate UNSC mandates.

Singh’s statements serve to fuel hyper-nationalism and anti-Muslim sentiment for electoral gains. Instead of addressing internal governance failures, including those in Manipur, India shifts focus to external provocations. This strategy masks deeper domestic challenges and weaknesses in governance.

India frequently accuses Pakistan of interference while itself engaging in state-sponsored subversion abroad. Pakistan highlights that such provocative statements only hinder regional peace and stability. Rather than making baseless allegations, India should introspect on its own actions, including its involvement in targeted assassinations and cross-border subversion.

Rajnath Singh claimed that AJK was, is, and will always be part of India and that its residents will demand to merge with India for better development. The people of AJK have consistently rejected India’s claims and continue to assert their right to self-governance. Their struggle is not about merging with another state but about securing their rights and preserving their distinct identity. Development in AJK depends on local governance and investment, not forced integration with India.

He also stated that the people of AJK feel their progress is only possible if they join a country like India. This claim ignores AJK’s historical and political realities. The people of AJK have long aligned themselves with Pakistan and self-rule, rejecting India’s narratives. Economic progress in AJK is tied to local opportunities and infrastructure development, not annexation by India.

Another assertion was that the removal of certain flags from AJK signals growing unrest and a shift in public sentiment. Isolated incidents cannot be used to gauge public sentiment. The majority of AJK’s population remains committed to their existing governance and rejects India’s territorial claims. The selective focus on flag removals disregards widespread solidarity with Pakistan and the real concerns of the people—economic growth and political stability.

India’s repeated attempts to misrepresent facts regarding AJK only escalate tensions and undermine regional stability. Instead of indulging in inflammatory rhetoric, India should respect international agreements and focus on addressing its internal crises and human rights violations in IIOJK.