Congress seeks apology for BJP MP Ram Chander Jangra's Pahalgam take
BJP MP Ram Chander Jangra
NEW DELHI: Congress on Sunday objected to BJP MP Ram Chander Jangra's remarks that tourists should have put up a fight against terrorists in Pahalgam, and demanded BJP sack him and PM
Narendra Modi
apologise.
Congress president
Mallikarjun Kharge
on X said Jangra's "shameful statement has once again exposed the petty mentality of RSS-BJP". "Narendra Modi ji, you say you have sindoor in your veins... If so, then you should sack these foul-mouthed leaders of yours for the respect of women," he said.
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Sanctioned in the mid-1990s and declared a National Project in 2002 under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's vision, the 272-kilometre USBRL traverses some of the most difficult Himalayan terrain, including 36 tunnels and 943 bridges—most notably the world's highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab River. The project was implemented in phases, with key sections like Jammu to Udhampur operational since 2005 and the entire route completed recently. Now, with the Vande Bharat Express cutting travel time between Jammu and Srinagar to just three hours, the Valley enjoys all-weather, high-speed, and reliable connectivity. At the inauguration, Prime Minister Modi stated, 'This rail link is not just infrastructure; it symbolises our commitment to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, ensuring their progress and integration with the rest of the nation. This historic achievement bridges the physical, economic, and psychological distances that long separated the Valley from India.' 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It stands as a message to the world—that India's democratic and developmental commitment to its people remains unshaken, even in the face of adversity. As the Vande Bharat now glides through tunnels and over the mighty Chenab, it carries not just passengers but the promise of a new era for Jammu and Kashmir—one of opportunity, dignity, unity, and peace. Imran Khurshid is a visiting research fellow at the International Centre for Peace Studies, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
