Breaking his silence on the issue of abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi onTuesday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government. The Gandhi scion accused the government of “unilaterally tearing a part J&K”.

Taking to micro blogging site Twitter, the Congress leader said that “this nation is made by its people, not plots of land”, alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government had abused executive power. Rahul Gandhi also targeted the government over detention of Jammu and Kashmir leaders, including former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, warning of “grave implications for our national security”.

“National integration isn’t furthered by unilaterally tearingapart J&K, imprisoning elected representatives and violating ourConstitution. This nation is made by its people, not plots of land. This abuseof executive power has grave implications for our national security,” read thetweet by the Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad constituency. The tweet by Rahul Gandhicame amid a fierce debate on the issue in Lok Sabha, with members of the BJPand opposition parties, including the Congress, sparring over the Jammu andKashmir Reorganisation Bill.The Congress attack inside the House was led byAdhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who cited the Shimla agreement and the Lahoredeclaration, and said that government must explain if the issue in question isinternal or bilateral one.

Congress MP Manish Tewari also took on the government overthe issue, saying it is was former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru who madeKashmir an integral part of the country. The Congress accused the government ofunilaterally taking decision on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

The attack was, however, dismissed by Home Minister Amit Shah, who asked the grand old party if it wanted intervention by the UnitedNations in Kashmir. When the issue of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir was raised by Congress MPs, an aggressive Shah hit back saying, “Jaan bhi de denge (We will sacrifice our lives)”.The Home Minister further said that whenever he mentionsJammu and Kashmir in the House, it includes the PoK and Aksai Chin areas.