The former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, expressed her anger at the Center saying that the people of Kashmir were not comfortable with the current regime and settlement in the valley.
“Everyone seems to be unhappy with the government. Not only Kashmiris, farmers and Dalits are also very agitated at the moment. Their rights have been taken away,” he said at his first press conference after his 14-month imprisonment. .
Mufti said the time has come for Kashmiri leaders to make sacrifices and fight for the restoration of the special constitutional status, which was taken away from Jammu and Kashmir last August. “The people of Kashmir have seen enough bloodshed and now is the time for leaders to come together and sacrifice their lives to fight for their legitimate rights.”
He used the example of ‘robbery-robbery’ at least half a dozen times when referring to the Center’s move to repeal Articles 370 and 35 A. “They have stolen the special articles from Kashmir and in the process they have torn the Constitution to pieces “. she said.
The PDP high table displayed two flags, one from Jammu and Kashmir and the other from PDP. “I will not hold the tricolor flag until the Jammu and Kashmir flag is returned to us,” he said.
She compared the measure of August 5, when Parliament had repealed Article 370, to blatant fraud and looting of the Indian Constitution. “The items were given to the people of Kashmir by the same Constitution, but they were taken away by force. We will fight to get them back.”
The PPD, the National Conference and four other parties have come together to form the Gupkar People’s Alliance Declaration to fight for the restoration of special status. The BJP has already stated that the repeal of Article 370 is history and cannot be restored.
“The main parties are united and ready to fight. We have pledged to reinstate Article 370. We do not want violence. In fact, it is the government that is provoking the people by issuing order after order to disempower the Kashmiris.”
The 62-year-old leader said the BJP has failed to abide by governance and whenever an issue is raised about farmers’ distress, unemployment or the ailing economy, Kashmir is helpful in diverting and stirring passions.
In attacking Uttar Pradesh’s chief minister, Yogi Adityanath, Mufti said that while the government silenced Kashmiri leaders from speaking about special status, Yogi was allowed to get Article 370 votes. Apparently, he was referring to Adityanath’s statement in which he had called during an election rally that the BJP’s move to repeal the items has now ensured that non-locals can also buy land in Jammu and Kashmir.
Asked whether China and the repeal of special items were linked, Mufti replied: “Since the Chinese themselves have said so and are on the border, there is certainly a link.”
“China has devoured 1000 square kilometers of land. And that is a reality.”
When asked about how the dominant parties will confront the Center over the repeal of articles, she said: “I am a street fighter. But we will not use violence.”
Mufti said his party and the People’s Alliance for the Gupkar Declaration will make a final decision on whether or not to participate in elections on the union’s territory. However, personally, she was not interested in contesting the ballot box until the old state’s flag and constitution were restored.
“As far as the PDP is concerned, we are not alone now. If you remember, we, along with the NC, had taken a united position before the start of the panchayat polls (in 2018) that we will not participate in them. Also at the moment We will discuss it in the party, with our workers, and then we will discuss it in the People’s Alliance (for the Gupkar Declaration). Whatever decision we make there, it will be linked to everyone, “he said.
With PTI inputs
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