Rajnath Singh said Pakistan wants to break off Jammu and Kashmir from India through terrorism.
Highlights
- Pak wants to break off Jammu and Kashmir from India, Mr Singh said
- "India can't be divided again on religious lines again," he added
- Pak should know terrorism is the weapon of the "coward", Mr Singh said
Home Minister Rajnath Singh launched a scathing attack on Pakistan on Sunday, accusing it of trying to create religious divide in the country.
Lashing out at Pakistan at a rally in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua, Mr Singh said Pakistan wants to break off Jammu and Kashmir from India through terrorism, but it should know that terrorism is the weapon of the "coward" and not the "brave".
In this context, he said, "Pakistan is conspiring to divide India on religious lines but it won't succeed. India can't be divided again on religious lines again".
"Pakistan gave us Uri, Gurdaspur, Pathankot (sites of terror attack) in response to our cordiality. Pakistan has attacked India repeatedly but we won't fire first," the minister added.
At the same time, the minister said if Pakistan "fails to control terrorism and wants India's cooperation, we are ready to help in eradicating the menace from Pakistan".
Soon after, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi tweeted:
Mr Singh's comments come amid intense strain in India-Pakistan ties in the wake of the Nagrota terror strike and intensified cross-border firing in Jammu and Kashmir.
Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had underscored the need to wipe out the terror network in south-east Asia at the Heart of Asia summit in presence of Pakistan's foreign advisor Sartaj Aziz.
Without naming Pakistan, PM Modi had said, "Silence and inaction against terrorism in Afghanistan and our region will only embolden terrorists and their masters."
"Pakistan came into existence after India got divided on religious lines but it could not keep itself united. In 1971, it got split into two and, if it does not mend its ways, it will get splintered into 10 pieces and India will have no role in it," Mr Singh warned.
Last year, both nations had agreed to start 'Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue' that was to cover all outstanding issues.
The resumption of the dialogue however, could not take place due to the Pathankot terror attack in January this year and several subsequent terror strikes involving Pakistan-based terrorists.