Mehbooba Mufti’s Remarks on Kashmir Protests Spark Political Row, NC and Apni Party Demand Apology
Srinagar/New Delhi: A political controversy has erupted after Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti made remarks comparing police action against student protesters in Delhi with the situation in Kashmir during the years of militancy. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Mehbooba Mufti, accompanied by her daughter Iltija Mufti, visited Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to express support for the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest over alleged examination irregularities.
While speaking to the media, Mufti criticised the Delhi Police’s action against student protesters. She alleged that peaceful and unarmed students were assaulted despite not engaging in violence.
During her remarks, she also referred to the situation in Kashmir, saying that the circumstances there involved security forces and militants. Her comments have since drawn criticism from political opponents, who accused her of appearing to justify the use of force against protesters in Jammu and Kashmir.
National Conference Criticises Mehbooba Mufti
Reacting to the statement, National Conference (NC) chief spokesperson and MLA Tanvir Sadiq strongly criticised the PDP leader and demanded an apology.
Sadiq questioned whether every citizen protesting in Jammu and Kashmir should be viewed through the lens of militancy.
He said the pain, dignity and constitutional rights of Kashmiri students and protesters were equal to those of every other Indian citizen. According to him, any suggestion that appeared to justify violence against protesters in Jammu and Kashmir was unacceptable.
Describing the remarks as “shameful”, Sadiq accused the PDP of failing to stand with ordinary Kashmiris during difficult times.
Apni Party Also Attacks PDP Chief
Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari also criticised Mehbooba Mufti for joining the protest at Jantar Mantar.
Bukhari said she had “no moral right” to express solidarity with protesters, referring to the PDP-led government’s handling of demonstrations during its time in power.
He alleged that pellet guns were used against protesting youth while Mehbooba Mufti served as Chief Minister and questioned her criticism of police action elsewhere.
Mehbooba Calls Resignation a Victory for Youth
Meanwhile, Mehbooba Mufti welcomed the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, describing it as a victory for the country’s youth.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, she said the protest movement remained peaceful and followed Mahatma Gandhi’s path of non-violence.
She said the resignation reflected the strength of peaceful democratic protests and added that young people had rejected attempts to divide society on religious lines.
However, Mehbooba Mufti did not respond to questions regarding the criticism from the National Conference or the controversy surrounding her remarks on protests in Kashmir.
