JKNS Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 26 (JKNS): Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to India was rooted in trust, secularism and the protection of its distinct identity, alleging that the promises made to its people had been undermined over the years.
Addressing a gathering on the occasion of Accession Day, as per news agency JKNS, Mufti said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had chosen to join India because its founding leadership, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, B.R. Ambedkar and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, envisioned a secular country where people of all religions could live together.
She said the accession was accompanied by safeguards intended to protect the identity, land and employment opportunities of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“People of Jammu and Kashmir opened their hearts and joined hands with the country, trusting the leadership of India,” she said, adding that the special constitutional provisions were intended to preserve the region’s distinct identity and interests.
Referring to the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, Mufti alleged that the decision had further deepened the difficulties faced by the people and weakened their sense of security and political rights.
She said Jammu and Kashmir was promised a special place within the Indian Union and recalled former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s vision of making the region a “show window” for the world.
Questioning the prevailing situation, the PDP chief raised concerns over arrests, raids, travel restrictions and the alleged denial of opportunities to young people whose passports have been withheld.
Mufti also criticised what she described as excessive security restrictions, alleging that people continued to face difficulties in exercising their democratic rights and expressing their views.
“BJP considers this silence to be peace. It is not peace; it is terror,” she said, alleging that restrictions on public expression were being mistaken for normalcy.
Appealing to people across the country, she urged them to reflect on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and uphold the democratic and secular principles associated with the country’s founding leadership.
“This is not right. Instead of using force, hold its hand and teach it to walk with you,” Mufti said, calling for a political approach based on dialogue, democracy and engagement with the people.
She said the issue of Jammu and Kashmir should be addressed as a question of humanity and democratic rights rather than through force alone.
Mufti also referred to the PDP’s upcoming convention scheduled for November 2, saying the gathering was intended to review the party’s position and deliberate on the prevailing political situation. (JKNS)
