Modi's new mood: Time to expose Pakistan, liberate PoK
With Pakistan continuing to remain hostile to India despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's peace initiatives, the mood in Delhi has changed as the latest bout of unrest in Kashmir has dragged on for more than a month now, with Pakistani propaganda adding fuel to the fire.
Jammu & Kashmir, PoK and Ladakh are part of India, says PM Modi at all-party meet
This change in mood, and perhaps India's methods henceforth with Pakistan, was clearly visible at the all-party meet on Kashmir on Friday, with the prime minister going on the offensive, even saying that Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir is an integral part of India and must be liberated from Pakistan.
This is not a new Indian position. In 1994, Parliament passed a unanimous resolution to this effect. But it was necessary to reiterate it at the highest levels at a time when Pakistan has stepped up its propaganda war against India, trying to corner New Delhi on alleged atrocities in Jammu & Kashmir.
Expose Pakistan
Modi, who has been closely watching developments in J&K, was upset by the Pakistani narrative and is beginning to think 'enough is enough', peace initiatives are not going to change Islamabad-Rawalpindi's behaviour and therefore it's time to pay Pakistan in the same coin, sources close to the prime minister told OneIndia.
[Narendra Modi turns the heat on Pak, says PoK belongs to India]
India will begin to play a card that it has so far desisted from playing. And that is to collect and publicise data on Pakistani atrocities in PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan. Not a day passes without the Pakistan army and terrorists committing atrocities in the region, a senior government official said. Pakistan alleges abuses by India in J&K, while suppressing all reporting of its own atrocities on the people of PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan.
WATCH: Protest in Pak occupied Gilgit Baltistan against Pakistan and demanding release of activist Baba Janhttps://t.co/KuIFEVDZsS
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 13, 2016
Even so, as protests against Pakistani rule grow in PoK, especially in the Gilgit-Baltistan region -- on Saturday morning, the Pakistani army arrested some 500 young men who were shouting 'Quit Gilgit' slogans -- Pakistan is finding it hard to hide its atrocities from the world.
The External Affairs Ministry, along with other agencies, will make a report on human rights violations, rigged elections and disappearance of people who raise their voice against the Pakistani establishment and make it public for the international community to see.
Government forcing businesses in #GilgitBaltistan 2 hoist #Pakistani flag, celebrate #August14
— Senge Hasnan Sering (@SengeHSering) August 12, 2016
What happened 2 claims of GB locals love PAK?
Without land, there is no nation#Chinese & #Pakistani vultures in #GilgitBaltistan 2 ruin land, resources, identity pic.twitter.com/Krj4tH8dOe
— Senge Hasnan Sering (@SengeHSering) August 12, 2016
We appreciate the statement of PM of India. Worlds largest democracy n being a responsible neighbor, India shd intervene in Balochistan.
— Brahumdagh Bugti (@BBugti) August 12, 2016
Pakistani forces intensified barbaric military operation in Dera Bugti. 19 Baloch civilians have been killed since yesterday. #Balochistan
— Brahumdagh Bugti (@BBugti) August 12, 2016
Liberation of PoK
India will also begin to focus on liberating the region from Pakistan, sources said. As Jitendra Singh, minister of state in the PMO said on Saturday, "Ek azaadi ki ladai abhi baaki hain. Our brothers in PoK have to be freed". India could begin by mobilising the people of PoK who are currently living abroad to help liberate the region from Pakistani control.