Jammu & Kashmir

Article 370 rollback has complicated Kashmir issue further, says Mehbooba Mufti

Posted on

An armed forces personnel deployed near Ghanta Ghar in Lal Chowk, Srinagar. [FPK File Photo/VIkar Syed.]

Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said that article 370 revocation has in fact further complicated the Kashmir issue and that the BJP led Government of India will have no alternative other than to talk to Pakistan for resolution of issues including Kashmir.

Addressing a press conference at her Gupkar residence in Srinagar, Mehbooba said that an impression that the Kashmir issue was over after revocation of article 370 has proved totally wrong on the ground.

“The fact remains that the rollback of the special status of JK has further complicated the Kashmir issue. One of the serious repercussions seen at the international level is that India is being isolated internally,” she said.

The PDP chief said that situation in Kashmir is worse than ever. “No one is feeling safe. Be that a common man or a journalist. Journalism is seen as a crime and truth is being throttled,” she said, adding that “many journalists including Sajad Gul, Fahad Shah and others are behind the bars. Many have fled Kashmir after being named in FIRs. How can things work and truth prevail in such conditions” she urged international bodies to raise voice for the immediate release of journalists arrested in Kashmir.

She said that democracy is being gagged in Kashmir and no one is allowed to raise their voice. “I believe when Atal Bihari Vajapyee had no option other than to talk Pakistan, the BJP led by Narendra Modi too will have to follow suit. There is no alternative to dialogue with Pakistan for resolving all issues including the political issue of Kashmir,” she said.

About the delimitation panel’s second draft report, she said that the commission has appeased BJP only by advocating something that is totally unacceptable to all. “The report aims pitch one community against another in JK, something BJP likes,” she said.

Mehbooba, however, said that PAGD will fight all the wrong policies of BJP in JK tooth and nail.

“Lot of efforts are being made to break the PAGD, but we will remain steadfast and fight altogether. The policies of BJP won’t last. Many rulers ruled JK in the past but oppression has to end,” she said.

She said entire India has been converted into a laboratory for experiments. “Now Hijab is a new plot. I believe this is an election stunt ahead of UP polls. This won’t stop here and will continue. They will identify more things attached to Muslims and make issues out of them,” Mehbooba said.

Asked JK administration’s claims that investors were investing in JK, she said: “When people of JK are feeling caged in a fortress and there is total monitoring of all in one, how investments can help. They are even monitoring our thoughts.”

On why Ghulam Nabi Hanjura, a senior PDP leader, has resigned from the party membership, she said that Hanjura has been her great colleague. “He has some personal issues. He hasn’t quit the party and will be back with us soon,” Mehbooba said. (KNO)

 

Free Press Kashmir is now on Telegram. Click here to Join.
FPK Android App for 2G. Click here to Download.

Click to comment

Most Popular

© 2024 Free Press Kashmir. All rights reserved.

Exit mobile version