'Sindh may return to India...': Rajnath Singh on borders changing
What's the story
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made a significant statement by saying that the Sindh region may "return to India again someday." He made the statement at an event, ToI reported, where he spoke about India's civilizational ties with Sindh, which was part of undivided India until Partition in 1947, when it went to Pakistan. "Today, the land of Sindh may not be a part of India, but civilizationally, Sindh will always be a part of India," he said.
Historical context
Singh references Advani on Sindhi Hindus's acceptance of Partition
Singh also referred to former Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani's observations about Sindhi Hindus not accepting the Partition. He said, "Lal Krishna Advani wrote in one of his books that Sindhi Hindus, especially those of his generation, still haven't accepted the separation of Sindh from India." He emphasized that both Hindus and many Muslims in Sindh consider the Indus River sacred.
Citizenship efforts
Singh recalls efforts to provide citizenship to Sindhi immigrants
Singh also recalled his attempts to give proper citizenship to immigrant Sindhi families. He had visited their community in Delhi in 2019 and found them living in slums under "extremely distressing conditions." Although a bill for their citizenship was introduced in the Lok Sabha, it failed to pass in the Rajya Sabha due to a lack of majority at that time.
PoK remarks
Singh expresses confidence in PoK's integration with India
Earlier in September, while addressing the Indian community in Morocco, Singh had expressed optimism that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) would merge with India "without aggressive steps." He said calls for integration are already being made in PoK and expressed confidence that it will eventually merge with India. "Demands have started being made in PoK; you must have heard sloganeering," he said.