"National flag is waving proudly in Lal Chowk": Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar on security situation in J-K

Pune (Maharashtra) [India], September 10 (ANI): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) praised situation in the Jammu and Kashmir region on Tuesday amid the ongoing row over the remarks of former Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde.
"Once upon a time it was impossible to hoist the national flag at Lal Chowk, but now the national flag is waiving proudly," he said.
Former Home Minister Sushil Shine launched his book "Five Decades of Politics" on Monday at the India International Centre in Delhi. During the launch of his book, Shinde said that when he used to visit Kashmir's Lal Chowk and Dal Lake as Home Minister, he used to get scared and was unable to share this with anyone despite getting good publicity for his visits.
Earlier today, the Maharashtra Deputy CM offered his prayers at the Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Mandal in Pune. Speaking to journalists after offering his prayers he said that India had offered a befitting reply to the Pulwama attack.
"Many VIPs used to go to Kashmir, including the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and Defence Minister, to meet people there, but some incidents happened, like Pulwama. So instead of just being the mere spectator, India had given a befitting reply through a counterattack, which was even praised by the people," he said.
He also added that the situation in the region is quite different now, as people have started celebrating Ganeshotsav, Navaratri, Eid and other festivals there.
"Many have started celebrating Ganeshotsav, Navratri, Eid, and all other festivals without fear," he added.
Earlier, Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, also criticised the previous Congress government over the remarks of former Home Minister Shinde, saying that the security of the nation is strong enough that 'opposition leaders' play in the snow in Kashmir without any fear.
"During the Congress rule, even the Home Minister of the country was afraid of going to Kashmir. But now, under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, the security of the nation is so strong that even the 'opposition leaders' play with snow in Kashmir, without any fear." said the union minister in a post on X. (ANI)