Kashmiris Accepted India Because
Says ‘India must remember that people of Kashmir are brave hearted and not from a cowardly nation that will be suppressed and silenced’
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Leader Mehbooba Mufti on the 22nd Foundation Day of the party reminded India that the people of Kashmir had accepted the nation because it was a secular and democratic one. She was addressing a gathering at party headquarters in Srinagar and said that her father, Mufti Mohd. Syed, established the party to help Kashmiris and end the suppression as well as other problems faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“My father never sought votes for developmental issues, although during his tenure, he constructed colleges, Universities as well as roads,” She said, adding that her father always sought votes with an intention of well being for Kashmiris.
Talking about the purpose of PDP, Mehbooba said, “Don’t forget the reason for which this party was created, as we had claimed that we will solve the issue of Kashmir and make the relations between Pakistan and India better.”
Citing examples from the history of Kashmir, PDP Chief emphasized that India must remember that the people of Kashmir are brave hearted and not from a cowardly nation that will be suppressed and silenced.
Referring to the Indian Flag being raised on Security Forces’ installations and Government establishments; Mehbooba said that people of Kashmir had come out with the tri-color back in the days when there was not even a trace of them. “Kashmiris accepted India because it was known as a secular and democratic nation,” she added.
Former Chief Minister said that the forces that were brought to Jammu and Kashmir back in 1947 by the then leaders are now not fighting against their enemies, such as China, but with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and are trying to induce fear among them as well as threatening those who raise their genuine voice.
Mehbooba also dared the Centre that whatever was taken back in August 2019, will have to be returned with interest.
“The special status to J&K was not given by any particular party but by the constitution and the people of India,” She said, adding that “When India can achieve freedom after fighting for a 100 years and when BJP can spent 70 years to scrap the Article 370 unconstitutionally, then why can’t we struggle for solving the Kashmir issue.”
Moreover, Mehbooba said that now the people of Kashmir are pointing their fingers at the IGP Kashmir (Vijay Kumar) regarding the killing of the three Kashmiri youth in recent encounters, which are claimed to be innocents by their parents and further appealed for an investigation into these killings. “IGP (Kashmir) should probe the killings of Zakir, Imran and Azad Mushtaq, and the facts about these cases should be made public.”
While citing the example of Mahatma Gandhi, She also advised the youth of Kashmir to not pick up arms and emphasised on choosing a non-violent path.
PDP Chief also stressed upon starting trade with neighbouring country Pakistan by opening the Mughal and Muzaffarabad Roads. “I say start talking to Pakistan and initiate trade with them.”