Hyderabad: Union Minister and BJP State President Kishan Reddy criticized former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru for his decisions on Article 370 after independence. According to Reddy, Nehru’s actions led to part of Kashmir being handed to Pakistan for short-term benefits.
Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951, breaking away from Nehru’s cabinet. He opposed Article 370, which granted special rights to Jammu and Kashmir, allowing it to have its own flag and Prime Minister, unlike the rest of India.
Mukherjee challenged Nehru’s policies, arguing that they were harmful to the nation. He questioned why Jammu and Kashmir needed separate rights if it was truly part of India. Supported by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Mukherjee entered Jammu and Kashmir without a permit, leading to his arrest and subsequent suspicious death.
Mukherjee’s dedication to national unity paved the way for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019 to revoke Article 370, ensuring equal rights for Dalits and women in Jammu and Kashmir.
Reddy highlighted the loss of 42,000 soldiers and civilians during Article 370’s tenure, criticizing the Congress for ignoring these sacrifices. In response, BJP national president Murli Manohar Joshi organized an Ekta Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, culminating in the national flag being hoisted at Lal Chowk under Modi’s leadership.
Post-independence, Congress allegedly divided the nation along caste and religious lines for electoral advantage, neglecting Hindu interests. In contrast, the Modi government focused on combating terrorism and maintaining national integrity over party politics.
The BJP has consistently acted during crises. During Indira Gandhi’s Emergency, the Jana Sangh merged with the Janata Party to defend civil rights and press freedom. Kishan Reddy emphasized Mukherjee’s lasting impact on BJP, which now boasts 140 million members, continuing his legacy under Modi’s leadership.
