Srinagar, Nov 23: BJP’s Member of Parliament Choudhary Ghulam Ali Khatana today in a poignant message about moving beyond the past and focusing on the future of Jammu and Kashmir said that “digging graves won’t yield anything”.
His remarks came in response to the recent statement by Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, who claimed that the resolution on special status, passed by the majority in Legislative Assembly—had not been definitively rejected and that the door for further discussions on the matter remained open.
Khatana, however, expressed a different perspective, emphasizing the futility of revisiting past debates. He remarked, “What will digging graves of the dead achieve? Nothing,” he said.
His words reflected a desire to put the region’s contentious past behind and shift the focus toward peace, prosperity, and a bright future for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Khatana echoed the BJP’s firm stance on the region’s integration with the rest of India. The abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 was a landmark decision that brought Jammu and Kashmir under the same legal framework as the rest of the country. Khatana’s comments reaffirmed his party’s belief that the region’s political autonomy, which had been a source of division and discord, needed to be set aside for the region’s growth and development. According to him, any attempt to resurrect these old issues would only serve to deepen divisions rather than move the region forward.
“Whatever is gone is gone,” Khatana stated, suggesting that the political status of Jammu and Kashmir before the revocation of Article 370 is now part of history. For him and his party, the goal is clear: to ensure that the people of Jammu and Kashmir enjoy the same rights and opportunities as the rest of the nation. He emphasized that the region’s citizens are more concerned with securing safety, economic stability, and a future filled with opportunity, rather than dwelling on past political configurations.
Khatana’s statement can be seen as a direct rebuttal to those political leaders, including Omar Abdullah and other regional figures, who continue to advocate for the restoration of the region’s special status. His words reflect the BJP’s steadfast resolve to focus on the future and to leave behind a divisive political past. The party, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has consistently argued that the special status of Jammu and Kashmir hindered its development, perpetuating a sense of isolation and separateness from the rest of India. With the revocation of Article 370, the BJP believes the region can now begin a new chapter of growth, inclusivity, and national unity.
Khatana’s comments also reinforce the BJP’s vision of a Jammu and Kashmir that is fully integrated into the Indian mainstream, where all its citizens, irrespective of religion or political affiliation, can access equal opportunities for education, employment, and economic growth. The party views the removal of Article 370 not as an end, but as a new beginning—a chance to build a Jammu and Kashmir that is united with the rest of India and poised for progress.
The debate over the special status of Jammu and Kashmir has been one of India’s most polarizing issues, with strong arguments from both sides. While the BJP has focused on national integration, development, and equal rights, regional political leaders have called for the preservation of the region’s unique identity and autonomy. Khatana’s remarks, however, make it clear that the BJP is determined to chart a new course—one that prioritizes peace, stability, and economic prosperity over political struggles of the past.
In this context, Khatana’s call for a forward-looking approach is a clear statement of his party’s belief that the future of Jammu and Kashmir should not be shaped by old conflicts but by new opportunities for growth and unity. His vision is one of a vibrant, prosperous region that is fully integrated into the fabric of India, where the people can thrive in an environment of peace, security, and equal opportunity.(News Vibes of India)
