New Delhi: Asserting that statehood will be given to Jammu and Kashmir at an appropriate time, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said the region would never ever get to witness bad time under the rule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.


“I have said in this House and I say it again that this Bill has got nothing to do with the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir. Statehood would be given to Jammu and Kashmir at an appropriate time,” Shah told the Lok Sabha.


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The Home Minister, while replying to a discussion on the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill 2021, urged the Congress-led opposition not to politicise Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.


“If you want a political fight, come in the ring and let's compete. Nobody is scared. It's (Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh) a sensitive part of our country. They have been hurt and have doubts. This House's responsibility is to comfort them, not scrape their wounds,” he said.


Emphasising the region's union territory status is temporary, Shah also slammed some opposition members for their claim that the proposed law negates the hopes of the region getting back its erstwhile statehood. 


The Home Minister's remarks came as the Lok Sabha passed the Reorganisation Bill 2021. The Lok Sabha passed by a voice vote a bill to merge the Jammu and Kashmir cadre of all-India services with the Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram Union Territory (AGMUT).


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Launching a frontal attack on Congress leader Manish Tewari, the Home Minister said the entire nation is going through a bad time due to the coronavirus pandemic.


“Manish ji (Tewari), you come from Punjab, bring statistics from there. It’s your government there or say from Chhattisgarh or Rajasthan. As far as recession is concerned, Jammu and Kashmir is doing better than all of them,” Shah said.


“Recall the Congress days. Thousands were killed and curfew was imposed for days. Adjudge the situation on the basis of data. Peace in Kashmir is a big thing. I don't want to recall the days of unrest. Such days won't be there again as it is our government now,” he added.