STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: BJP National General Secretary and Jammu & Kashmir in-charge, Tarun Chugh, strongly condemned remarks made against Maharaja Hari Singh, calling them an insult to the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
He criticized former Prime Minister Pt. Nehru and Sheikh Abdullah for creating difficulties for the former ruler and reaffirmed that Maharaja Hari Singh was a visionary leader who played a crucial role in integrating J&K with India.
Chugh accused political rivals of distorting history for political gains and demanded that National Conference leader Omar Abdullah retract his statements.
He highlighted the Maharaja’s contributions to education, healthcare, and governance, emphasizing that his secular outlook fostered communal harmony. Calling any attempts to malign his legacy “unacceptable,” Chugh reaffirmed BJP’s commitment to preserving the region’s historical and cultural identity.
On the broader political landscape, Chugh lauded the transformation of J&K post the abrogation of Article 370, stating that the region has moved from being a “terrorism capital” to a “tourism capital.” He credited the Modi government for ensuring peace, security, and reservations for SC and ST communities while nearly eliminating stone-pelting incidents.
He further took a swipe at the Abdullah and Mufti families, accusing them of undermining the unity of Jammu & Kashmir for decades.
Addressing the ongoing controversy over Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, Chugh labeled him a “villain” while praising historical figures like Guru Tegh Bahadur and Shivaji Maharaj for resisting his rule.
On international matters, Chugh declared Pakistan as the “center of terrorism,” urging global powers, including the United States, to impose sanctions and restrict Pakistani nationals’ entry into the country.
Concluding his address, Chugh reiterated that BJP and the people of Jammu & Kashmir will not tolerate any attempts to distort history and will take all necessary steps to uphold the honor of Maharaja Hari Singh and the region’s rich legacy.