Amit Shah Reaffirms Kashmir's Integral Role in India's Heritage Revival

Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasizes the Modi-led government's commitment to reviving Kashmir's cultural heritage. At the launch of 'Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh Through the Ages,' Shah highlights the inseparability of Kashmir from India and calls for historians to present India's rich history with confidence.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday reaffirmed the Modi government's dedication to restoring Kashmir's historic and cultural legacy, stating, "We will soon reclaim what has been lost." This declaration came during the release of 'Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh Through the Ages: A Visual Narrative of Continuities and Linkages' in New Delhi.

Shah categorically emphasized that Kashmir will always remain an indivisible part of India, dismissing any legal provisions that might suggest otherwise. He noted historical attempts to detach Kashmir from India, which he said have been rendered ineffective over time.

The event was attended by notable figures, including Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Professor Raghuvendra Tanwar, chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR). Shah underscored that the National Book Trust's latest publication dismantles longstanding myths about India's unity by presenting factual evidence of the country's cultural and historical cohesion.

Amit Shah dispelled the myth that India lacked unity, stressing the country's unique geocultural identity rather than geopolitics defining its boundaries. He pointed out the intricate connections between Kashmir, Ladakh, Shaivism, and Buddhism, highlighted in the book's detailed documentation of scripts, spirituality, and languages.

The book captures Buddhism's historical journey from Nepal to Afghanistan via Kashmir and includes sculptures from Drass and Ladakh, discussions on temple ruins, and the role of Sanskrit, drawn from sources like Rajatarangini. Shah likened this extensive narrative to "encapsulating the sacred Ganga within a vessel."

He critiqued past historical interpretations limited to narrow geographies and appealed for a more engaged approach that highlights lived experiences. Shah urged historians to confidently document India's rich culture and history, free of biases, and present it globally with pride.

Concluding, Shah asserted that India, as a sovereign nation, now stands by its historical values, with Kashmir and Ladakh historically as hubs of cultural preservation. The book serves as a testament to Kashmir's tradition of inclusivity and its nurturing of diverse beliefs.

(With inputs from agencies.)