Mehbooba warned the Center “not to put us to the test” about the state of J&K. (FILE)
srinagar:
PDP President Mehbooba Mufti asked the Center on Saturday to learn a lesson from Afghanistan, where the Taliban seized power and forced the US to flee.
Mehbooba’s comments provoked a sharp response from the BJP, which accused her of “hate politics” after she lost ground in the Union Territory and said anyone conspiring against India will be destroyed.
Referring to the Taliban taking power in Afghanistan, the former Chief Minister warned the Center “not to put us to the test” and asked the government to “improve its roads, understand the situation and see what is happening in your area.” “.
“America, a superpower, had to pack their bags and flee. You (the Center) still have the option to initiate a dialogue process in JK as (former Prime Minister) Vajpayee had and to correct your mistake of making the JK’s identity illegal and unconstitutional and split from JK, otherwise it will be too late,” she said, referring to the decisions of August 5, 2019.
Mehbooba addressed her party employees in the Kulgam district of southern Kashmir and also appealed to the young people not to take up arms and said the problem cannot be solved with guns or stones.
“The Government of India must return what it has taken from us and address the issue of Kashmir according to the wishes and aspirations of the people of JK,” she said.
Citing the example of Afghanistan, the PDP president said the problems cannot be solved with weapons or stones.
“The Taliban are now in control of Afghanistan and they have let the US flee. But right now they are saying the gun won’t work. The whole world is watching them, how they will behave, whether they will exercise the same strictness or will behave well with the people,” she said.
Mehbooba said there is a lesson for the people of JK in the situation in Afghanistan.
“I request the youth to resist by staying alive and not losing your life. If you lose your life, everything is over. The people on the other side do not understand that the youth of Kashmir should not sacrifice their lives. I appeal to all young people not to pick up weapons or stones. If you cannot speak with your tongue, think of the wounds in your heart,” she said.
She said America has spoken with the Taliban and the previous governments in New Delhi, including the BJP government led by AB Vajpayee, has also spoken with terrorists in JK and “there will come a time when they will bow to their knees and will ask us what we want”.
“The US spoke to the Taliban, India spoke to Pakistan and there was a ceasefire. There is nothing to do but talk. Whatever goes on behind the doors, God willing, there will come a day and will they have to talk to everyone – be it the people of J&K or the people on the other side of the Kashmir issue alive,” she said.
Mehbooba said India is an idea of different religions, diversities and ethnicities, said the Congress party saved the country and kept it together and accused the BJP of trying to divide it.
“What has happened in the last five to seven years, it seems that the BJP is trying to divide this country and divide the people in the name of religion,” she said.
Referring to Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to the Union of India, the PDP president said that if the BJP had been in power then, J&K might not have joined the country.
“The accession did not take place because of the BJP. It happened when Jawaharlal Nehru was in power, who was secular, democratic and believed in brotherhood. He assured the people of J&K, which was a Muslim majority, a special status to join a Hindu majority India.
“Congress would have joined J&K with India under these terms. If the BJP had been there, I don’t think J&K would have been part of this country,” she said.
Criticized for not discussing Article 370 at a virtual meeting of 19 opposition parties convened Friday by Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Ms. Mehbooba said she spoke about the matter, noting that it was Congress’ duty to protect the people. . of J&K and see their situation and understand difficulties.
Jammu and Kashmir BJP President Ravinder Raina lashed out at Ms Mehbooba for her comments, saying she is “under a misconception. India is a powerful country and our Prime Minister is Narendra Modi unlike (US President) Joe Biden who withdrew from Afghanistan. Whether it’s the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, LeT, JeM or Hizbul…anyone who colludes against India will be destroyed.”
“The PDP president has committed a great sin against the country. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are patriots who love their country and hold the national flag high. They help the police, military and paramilitary forces in the fight against terrorism,” he said. .
He further claimed that Ms Mufti has lost ground in Jammu and Kashmir and that the people have rejected her.
“Now she remembers the Taliban who destroyed Afghanistan, killed innocent women and children and trampled the rights of people, including journalists and athletes,” Raina said.
Congressional spokesman Jaiveer Shergill also condemned her comments.
“Mehbooba Mufti’s quoted speech is highly reprehensible and provocative. Instead of preaching peace, exposing the government to policy issues if your politics require you to threaten the establishment with violent consequences, you are clearly steering the wrong path – sad and shameful,” said Mr. Shergill. .
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NewsMadura staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.)
