In a bid to damage India, Pakistan has destabilised itself, says Anurag

Senior BJP leader Anurag Thakur on Monday said India never bore ill will towards Pakistan and asserted that the neighbouring country destabilised itself by its animosity towards New Delhi. He also waded into the ongoing row over USAID funding, claiming the USD 21 million for voter turnout in India “fully exposed” those conspiring with foreign countries to weaken democracy in India.

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Anurag was in Jammu to address ‘Budget Pe Charcha’, organised by Mookerjee Samriti Nyas at Jammu Club. J&K BJP chief Sat Sharma and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma were also present at the event.

“Pakistan is being given a befitting response like in the past (for mischief on the borders). If it (Pakistan) does not end its nefarious activities, our forces know how to take care of it, as they have done in the past,” he said during a press conference.

“Pakistan has destabilised itself trying to destabilise India. No one wants its neighbouring country to be a failed state, we never wished ill for it but the one who kept an evil eye was ruined,” Thakur said.

Asked about the USAID row, Thakur said, “I said earlier some foreign powers were trying to weaken Indian democracy. The top Congress leadership has already been exposed for links to US-based billionaire investor George Soros in a bid to oust the BJP from power. This is part of an agenda under which big powers are working to weaken the Indian government and democracy.”

A controversy erupted in the country earlier this month after the Elon Musk-led DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) in the US claimed that it had cancelled a USD 21 million grant to India to boost “voter turnout”.

Asked about Modi nominating J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah among the 10 people from different walks of life to fight obesity, Thakur said the prime minister’s initiative would help create health awareness among the country’s 140 crore people and reduce the burden on health infrastructure. “They (people nominated by Modi) should reach out to more and more people and speak on the subject in their public discourses,” he said.

Thakur also welcomed the formation of a new party by a group of former leaders of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami in Kashmir to contest elections and work for the return of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, saying everyone should make an attempt in this direction. Thakur also demanded that Rohingya immigrants living in Jammu and Kashmir be identified and deported.

He dismissed apprehensions of local businesses and transporters that the direct train to Kashmir would adversely impact Jammu, saying, “We need to strengthen our capabilities.” “Jammu records the highest pilgrim footfall at Vaishno Devi. Border tourism in Jammu and the locations have their own importance, and there is no competition with Kashmir. We have to see and come out with a joint package that will benefit both the Jammu and the Kashmir divisions,” he said.

Presenting a detailed insight into the Union Budget, Thakur said the new tax-free income slab upto 12 lakhs would benefit a major chunk of the Indian tax-payer population, stressing that it will boost the market by increasing the spending capacity of the people and hence boosting all sectors from service to manufacture.