J&K Was Integrated Without Firing A Single Bullet, says Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the revocation of Article 370 as a landmark achievement on Wednesday, asserting that the government seamlessly integrated Jammu and Kashmir into India without resorting to violence.

Speaking at the Major Bob Khathing Memorial Event in Delhi, Singh emphasized that the historic move, executed on August 5, 2019, dismantled a long-standing barrier to national unity, all while maintaining peace and security for all involved.

“We removed Article 370—a significant obstacle—without firing a single bullet, fully merging Jammu and Kashmir with India,” Singh said, crediting the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He drew parallels between this feat and the diplomatic finesse of Major Bob Khathing, who peacefully integrated Tawang into India decades ago. “This was done with full regard for stakeholders, ensuring a secure and tranquil process,” he added.

The abrogation, which stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status under the Indian Constitution, was accompanied by the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Singh framed the decision as a triumph of the government’s “minimum government, maximum governance” ethos, shrinking the divide between the people and the administration. “What Khathing did for the Northeast mirrors what Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel achieved for national integration,” he remarked, honoring the legacy of unity.

Singh also touted India’s rising global stature under Modi, contrasting it with an era when the country’s voice carried little weight internationally. The event, attended by dignitaries including Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and top military brass, celebrated Khathing’s bravery and diplomacy—qualities Singh urged citizens to emulate.