Mehbooba Mufti Slams NC, Says Its Leadership Responsible for Growing Centre-Kashmir Disconnect
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday launched a sharp attack on the ruling National Conference (NC), blaming its leadership for the growing disconnect between Jammu and Kashmir and the Central Government. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Addressing a major workers’ convention at Sher-e-Kashmir Park in Srinagar on the occasion of the PDP’s Foundation Day, Mehbooba questioned why people from Kashmir continued to face suspicion and discrimination.
She said young people were being harassed, Kashmiri officers removed from service and tribal communities evicted from their homes.
“Why does Hindustan have so much suspicion about us? Our youngsters are being beaten, Kashmiri officers are being removed from service and tribals are being evicted. This needs to be thought about,” she said, according to the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
Targeting the National Conference, Mehbooba accused the party of abandoning its demand for autonomy after moving from the prime ministerial system to the chief ministerial system.
She also blamed the NC leadership for the difficult years of militancy in Kashmir, alleging that people suffered during its rule and accusing the party of using Ikhwan forces during that period.
Referring to NC president Farooq Abdullah’s remarks on Pakistan, Mehbooba said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had already made their choice and stood with India.
She recalled the role of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to India, saying he had placed his faith in the country despite the region having a Muslim-majority population. She also highlighted his association with former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi.
Mehbooba further recalled Sheikh Abdullah’s efforts to bring former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Jammu and Kashmir to help restore peace. She also mentioned the construction of the Mughal Road.
Describing the PDP’s founding objectives, Mehbooba said the party was established to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s dignity and identity. She maintained that the PDP had never followed a double agenda.
The PDP chief urged the Government of India to start a dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, questioning how long the region could be governed through force.
Referring to the developments in Delhi on October 10, she said the government needed to understand public anger and concerns instead of trying to present an image of peace through coercive measures.
Mehbooba also warned against attempts to change Jammu and Kashmir’s identity, saying those seeking to undermine the region would eventually face consequences.
