Srinagar, Nov 02: Thundering before a packed gathering of Peoples Demoratic Party (PDP) workers at Sher-e-Kashmir Park, the party president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday accused the ruling National Conference (NC) of contributing to Kashmir’s growing trust deficit with the Centre, holding its leadership responsible for the “widening political and emotional disconnect” between Jammu and Kashmir and New Delhi.
She criticised the NC for “changing its political positions” on India, Pakistan and autonomy over the years.
Addressing a mega workers’ convention organised to mark the PDP’s Foundation Day in Srinagar, Mufti, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), questioned why Kashmiris continued to face suspicion despite J&K having acceded to India and raised concerns over the harassment of youth, termination of government employees and eviction of tribal communities.
“Why does India have so much suspicion about us? Our youngsters are being beaten, Kashmiri officers are being removed from service and tribal communities are being evicted. This is something that needs to be thought about,” she said.
Blaming the NC for the prevailing “mistrust”, Mehbooba said the party’s shifting political positions had created uncertainty among Kashmiris and contributed to the continued questioning of their allegiance.
Recalling J&K’s accession to India, she said it was Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah who had taken the decision despite the region being Muslim-majority.
She referred to Sheikh Abdullah’s association with Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, saying the decision was taken in view of the democratic and secular values represented by them.
On the political positions taken by Sheikh Abdullah after accession, Mufti said the NC had spoken about India, then Pakistan and later the plebiscite before returning to power through an agreement.
Taking a dig at the NC’s demand for autonomy, Mehbooba said the party had itself buried the issue when the position of Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir was changed to that of Chief Minister.
Referring to the continued suspicion against Kashmiris, she said even ordinary expressions of identity and faith could invite allegations of being Pakistani.
Mehbooba questioned why Kashmiris are still being asked to prove their loyalty to the country when the region had chosen India decades ago.
‘NC responsible for Kashmir’s difficult years’
Mehbooba also criticised the National Conference leadership for the difficult years of militancy in Kashmir, accusing it of using Ikhwan forces during that period. She said people had suffered during the NC’s rule and that ‘dead bodies’ were left on roads during those years.
Referring to NC president Farooq Abdullah’s recent remarks on Pakistan, the PDP chief questioned his political position, saying that while statements were made about Pakistan in Kashmir, the same leadership spoke differently when it went to Delhi.
She said Kashmiris had already made their choice and stood with India, while such contradictory statements by political leaders further contributed to suspicion against the people.
Taking a dig at Pakistan, she referred to it as ‘Daki-stan’ while speaking about the political debate surrounding Kashmir.
‘Mufti Sahab must be proud today’
Remembering her late father and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Mehbooba said he must be proud of the PDP and its journey, recalling his efforts to restore peace and dignity to Jammu and Kashmir.
She said Mufti Sayeed had brought former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Jammu and Kashmir and conveyed to him that the people did not merely need roads and bridges but also dignity. “He told him that we do not require roads and bridges, but dignity,” she said.
Mufti recalled that Vajpayee had extended a hand of friendship towards Pakistan from J&K as part of his peace efforts.
She also referred to the construction of the Mughal Road during Mufti Sayeed’s tenure, saying his government had worked towards improving connectivity and bringing people closer.
Mehbooba said her father had attempted to bridge the gap between New Delhi and the people of Jammu and Kashmir through dialogue, reconciliation and initiatives aimed at restoring public confidence.
The PDP, she said, was founded to restore the dignity and identity of Jammu and Kashmir and asserted that the party had never followed a double agenda.
Seeks dialogue with Centre, warns against coercive measures
Appealing to the Government of India to initiate dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the former CM questioned how long the region could be governed through force and restrictions.
“The government must listen to the people rather than rely on coercive measures to maintain peace,” she said.
Referring to the October 10 developments at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, Mehbooba said the government should understand the anger and resentment among people instead of assuming that everything was normal because of the absence of visible protests.
Warning against continued reliance on force, she said the accumulated anger could erupt one day. “This lava will burst one day and then do not say you were unaware,” she said.
Mehbooba also warned the Centre against attempts to undermine Jammu and Kashmir’s identity, describing the region as the crown of India.
She said any attempt to remove Jammu and Kashmir from that position would have consequences for the country itself.
“If you try to remove Jammu and Kashmir from the crown, you will be wiped out and your story will find no place in history,” she said.
Reiterating the PDP’s political position, Mehbooba said the party would continue to fight for the dignity, identity and political rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
