KARACHI: While India’s External Affairs Ministry shrugged off Pakistan Peoples Party’s Bilawal Bhutto’s pledge to ‘take back’ Kashmir as “far from reality”, social media was less forgiving.
In a statement made on Friday, the PPP patron-in-chief vowed not to leave behind “even an inch” of Kashmir.
“I will take back Kashmir, all of it, and I will not leave behind a single inch of it because, like the other provinces, it belongs to Pakistan,” proclaimed Bhutto as he addressed party workers in Multan.
The story was picked up on Saturday by most of top newspaper websites in India, sparking fierce reaction from members of the public and well known personalities alike in the neighbouring country.
"We are in the process of looking forward and looking forward does not mean that our borders will be changed. We made it very clear that as far as we are concerned, the integrity and unity of India is non negotiable," Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry Syed Akbaruddin said, according to the Times of India.
Hardly impressed with Bilawal's statements, many across the border took to social media to mock the patron, advising him to first bring Pakistan under control before thinking about Kashmir. Many also claimed that Bilawal's statement on this sensitive issue was representative of his political inexperience.
"Where were these Pakistani politicians when Kashmir was under floods? It was Modi and the Indian government which helped Kashmir, not Pakistan. On what grounds can they think that Kashmir is theirs?" said one comment on the Times of India website.
Here are some reactions from Twitter:
Bilawal wants Kashmir. I want all the world.
— Shivam Vij (@DilliDurAst) September 20, 2014
India and Pakistan both say J&K is theirs but why do we never hear India saying it will re-occupy PoK, Gilgit Baltistan?
— Shivam Vij (@DilliDurAst) September 20, 2014
As a Young Man he is already out of sync with current realities! Sad for region) @dna: "PPP to get entire Kashmir from India:Bilawal Bhutto"
— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) September 20, 2014
Subramanian Swamy's reaction when asked about Bilawal Bhutto's statement on Kashmir pic.twitter.com/WwvKbFGPcd
— ANI (@ANI) September 20, 2014
He needs some serious tutoring. Political aspirations: Bilawal pledges to take back Kashmir from India http://t.co/s0sEtF9OFw via @etribune
— zahid Hussain (@hidhussain) September 20, 2014
#Kashmir needs water pumps, not rhetoric. Bilawal pledges to take back Kashmir from India http://t.co/KbWMRRcObA #Pakistan
— Myra MacDonald (@myraemacdonald) September 20, 2014
COMMENTS (44)
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@Sayed: I am a UP Muslim from near Lucknow working in an engineering company in NOIDA as a safety manager. We have many Kashmiris working with us and I v'e never heard them espouse any anti India views. In fact a few of them have purchased flats in NOIDA. I am surprised when I hear that some Kashmiris want to go to Pakistan. Can they get employment there ? Can their kids get quality education ? Can they be free to live as the want ? Will their women be able to walk around the streets w/o a burka like they do in Delhi ? Will they be able have a tipple now and then after work with the other colleagues ? I doubt it.
For those who say they are part of Pakistan, the day India decides to give away Kashmir to Pakistan 80% or more of Kashmiris would find it difficult to assimilate. In India we Muslims have more opportunities than Pakistan can give us in a 100 years. Prayers are answered here faster than in Pakistan which unlike its name is now a land of evil.
Not sure what this crazy guy was thinking...sort your home first then step out...raise yourself before you utter such lame words...it's good to see that a few pakistani citizens realise the truth of Kashmir being a part of India...n to the others who still under an illusion...wake up!!! Just workout to make situation of women better in your country and fulfilling the basic needs of your populace.
Kashmir belongs to Pakistan. Says you. Kashmir belongs to India. Says the world map and every agreement in history. @Soldier:
Well actually it's Pakistan's embarrassment at having such future leaders that they are silent. @K:
@shah: No, they are funny
Kashmiris hold onto your wallet tight, in past empty promises led to lot of empty wallets, but increases in number of swiss accounts.
Bilawl should get Pakistan first from NS before he can dream of anything further. May be he begins with getting a suitable wife for himself.
@Chandan: Pakistan separated from British rule from British India. Modern India is a country only 67 years old.
Kashmiris were occupied by India (with full British backing) to prevent us from joining with Pakistan, just as British themselves did to Mughal empire to separate us from our brothers in Muslim world (Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan).
I am Kashmir, and Pakistanis and Indians both consider me as Pakistani. Make it official, allow Kashmiris their due rights. It is the only way India will remain in peace, otherwise know that revolution is coming, especially after Indian government hypocrisy of not helping Muslim victims of this flood.
Bilawal said, 'Main kuchh na kar soo bus marsoo marsoo'. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Former Diplomat / zaidiformerdiplomat@hotmail.com
Modi has dispatched a box of lollypops to Bilawal to stop him crying for moon.
I have to admit that it is heartwarming to see so many positive comments from our neighbors. Amazing to see that Pakistanis are able to see through the populist but divisive rhetoric of an aspiring politician with very little credibility. . At the same time it is very disappointing to see Bilawal taking the confrontation route. Him being from younger generation, it was hoped that he would not bring the old political baggage.
Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir is an integral part of India and we WILL take it one day. No force on Earth can stop that from happening. Kashmir has been part of us for 5000 years and no matter how long it takes we'll outlast the occupiers !!
@Affan
If Kashmir is part of pakistan then pakistan is the part of India. :-)
BTW why don't you pakistani try to reclaim Bangladesh which was East pakistan before 1971.Kashmir was never under pakistan's administration. So,First try to Reclaim which was once yours and then Dream about kashmir..
In Future,One day Bilawal's Grandson will also shout in a Rally ''we will take back kashmir,every inch of it'' just like him saying what his grandfather had said years ago.
This is not expected from a newcomer.As a young politician,he should start a new era...Bring New thoughts..Focus on Poverty alleviation,women empowerment,worsening law and order situation,economy,protection of minorities etc. instead of exploiting the emotions of guiible pakistani.Make Pakistan a Better country.Give your citizen better life instead of inciting them for petty political Gains.
Best Solution for Kashmir is Status Quo.Any attempt to change the status Quo will be catastrophic for the region.
Kashmir is the part of Pakistan, so kaphey kaphey kashmir kaphey :D marwaisoun kashmir nah daisoun :)
Guys; it is nothing but a part of effort to strenghten PPP in pre empt PM's speach at UN next week. Ignore it . if you ask me, I think all parts of Kashmir should be given choice between three options, Go with India, go with pakistan or go independent.
Nawaz and his brother must be very unhappy too. After all a business deal started during Modi's installation was now coming through. Now PML N should launch protest outside Bilawal House like the RSS did for Nawaz in front of our High Commission in Delhi.
Bilawal just wants to attract attention in building up a rookie political career. Salams
Why Bilawal given this statement, because he knows, the whole nation is united for Kashmir.
Hum Pakistani hai, aur Pakistan hamara hai. - common slogan in Kashmir
Bilawal, we Kashmiris are happy with your sentiments so please join with all those who wish the best for Pakistan and Kashmir. Pakistan and Kashmiris should unite as one country.
Pakistanis are funny people, seriously.
So apart from all of India, ET is also ridiculing Bilawal, because why say anything to upset India right? Lame
Bilawal is such a lovely kid. If I have power to do so, I will have given him Kashmir and much more.
An open hearted indian.
Come on guys, leave the kid alone...........he's only making a statement which was given to him by his companions on the trip. Limited knowledge can be devastating and if ever he come to power, which I hope is never, he'll be the first one to sell Pakistan. As they say "like father, like son."
As a Pakistani i want to assure the Indians that not only does Pakistan not want to take back Kashmir, India can even have Bilawal Bhutto as well...
Bilawal can say whatever he wants. We Indians need not worry about what a Bhutto says. If history is any indication, well....... do I need to complete my sentence? :D
Indian Trolls Are So Pathetic
Let's check this guy's degree, if he has any. He doesn't even know that land is not measured in inches, but IN SQUARE INCHES!
Honestly it is not his father's or mother's property. By his rhetoric it appears that he is delivering a dialogue in a movie where in the protogonist would utter that he would wrest back everything. Unfortunately if he would be following dharma he would have succeded, but wresting back in his way......
I expect to see a lot of Facebook memes with Bilawal's photo in it. The guy has made a fool of himself. He will need to do a lot of work if he wants to be taken seriously.
Jiye Bilawal!
The country is facing a major crisis at home thanks to a former captain, economy is in doldrums, massive ethnic strife, terrorism in the badlands of the north west frontier province, massive power shortages, break down of law and order in Karachi, separatists fighting for a homeland in Baluchistan and countless other problems to solve but what does Mr Bilawal focus his energies on - Kashmir.
Please get your house in order first before having the audacity to conquer the moon. You and your country's obsession with Kashmir will be given the same response as has been the case over the last 65 years.
First put your house in order before making tall claims.Pakistan is in chaos since its formation.Now let it be known that we want Pakistan to be reunited with India and along with Bangladesh can make a super power with in no time.
“I will take back Kashmir, all of it, and I will not leave behind a single inch of it because, like the other provinces, it belongs to Pakistan..” And, how does he proposes to do that? If by force then he needs the military which is far inferior then that of India. In fact, we are comparing an ant with an elephant. In the past I have given independent links of how the two countries compare but ET has not published them. I live in the West and these information are widely available. Was I surprised to read this report of ET? Of course not. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/28/liberal-newspaper-express-tribune-silenced-pakistani-taliban
Rather than talking some development of country, this one also following their ancestors, goofing citizens.
Kashmir belongs to Kashmiris lets have a referendum in Kashmir :)
Much ado over nothing. It is a fact that Kashmir is disputed, and it is yet another fact that Pakistan regards Kashmir as its own territory. Time for Indians to swallow the hard pill and digest this truth.
In all fairness, politicians from both sides make such stupid statements. They should only be taken seriously if they hold real power and are therefore capable of actually doing something stupid. This kid doesn't - he is just trying to get a rise out of his chamchas. I don't think even the separatists in Kashmir will be thrilled to hear that lil' Bhutto thinks of Kashmir as part of Pakistan.