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Sushilkumar Shinde, a prominent figure in the Indian National Congress, has stirred controversy with his revelation about feeling scared during his visit to Kashmir in 2012 while serving as the Union Home Minister. Shinde, during the launch of his memoir 'Five Decades in Politics,' shared that despite the public perception of his fearlessness, he was, in fact, apprehensive about his safety during his trip to Srinagar. He attributed his decision to visit the iconic Lal Chowk and Dal Lake to advice from educationist Vijay Dhar, who suggested it for publicity purposes.
Shinde's candid admission, while intended as a humorous anecdote, has sparked fierce criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the current ruling party in India. The BJP, eager to highlight the perceived shortcomings of the previous Congress-led government, has seized upon Shinde's statement to criticize the Congress's handling of security in Jammu and Kashmir during their tenure. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused the Congress and its ally, the National Conference, of wanting to 'take J&K back to days of terror.' He drew a stark contrast between Shinde's admitted fear and the recent activities of Rahul Gandhi, the Congress's prominent leader, who has been seen engaging in 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' and even participating in snow fights in Kashmir, suggesting a stark difference in the perception of safety in Kashmir under the current BJP government.
This episode serves as a reminder of the complex and sensitive nature of the Kashmir issue in Indian politics. Shinde's revelation, while seemingly innocuous, has exposed the underlying anxieties and political tensions surrounding the region. The BJP, through its aggressive response, has successfully re-framed the issue as a contest between security and development, positioning themselves as the champions of peace and stability in Kashmir. It remains to be seen whether the Congress will effectively counter this narrative and capitalize on Shinde's confession to its political advantage.