Article 370 Won’t Be Restored Even if Indira Gandhi Returns from Heaven: Amit Shah

Dhule, Maharashtra: Union Home Minister Amit Shah firmly declared on Wednesday that Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, will not be restored, even if “Indira Gandhi were to return from heaven.” Speaking at a gathering in Maharashtra’s Dhule ahead of the state’s assembly elections, Shah reiterated the BJP’s position on the revocation of Article 370, a move made by the Narendra Modi government in 2019 that transformed Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories.

The home minister’s comments took a pointed jab at the Congress, invoking former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the grandmother of Rahul Gandhi. Shah emphasized that the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, removed under the Modi administration, would not be reinstated under any circumstance.

In a further statement, Shah criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, stating that “even if his fourth generation were to come,” reservations for Muslims would not be granted at the expense of the quotas for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Addressing a recent meeting between Congress leaders and Muslim scholars, Shah said, “Rahul Baba, not only you but even if your four generations were to come, they cannot cut the quota meant for SCs/STs/OBCs and give it to Muslims.”

The comments came as Maharashtra prepares for its upcoming assembly elections on November 20, where the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP “Mahayuti” alliance will face off against the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), composed of Shiv Sena (UBT), the NCP (SCP), and Congress.

Shah also took aim at Rahul Gandhi’s recent display of the Constitution at political events, accusing him of disrespecting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s legacy by carrying a blank version of the document. “Rahul Baba was seen waving a copy of Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution. When some journalists checked, it had blank pages. By showing a fake Constitution, Rahul broke the trust of the people and insulted Babasaheb,” Shah remarked.

Taking a jibe at Congress leadership, Shah mocked Sonia Gandhi’s efforts to establish Rahul Gandhi as a leader, saying, “Sonia ji tried to land the plane named Rahul Baba 20 times and each time it crashed. Now, an attempt is being made for the 21st time in Maharashtra. This time too, Rahul’s plane is going to crash.”

As the political atmosphere heats up in Maharashtra, Shah’s comments reflect the BJP’s focus on national unity, constitutional values, and targeted criticisms of the Congress and MVA coalition in the run-up to the election.