‘New Delhi lost trust of J&K people’
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 21 : People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti today said that if New Delhi is really interested in ensuring peace in Jammu and Kashmir and the sub-continent, it must restore Article 370 and resolve Kashmir through dialogue.
Addressing a gathering in Kulgam, Mehbooba said for the everlasting peace in Kashmir, Government of India must restore special status which they snatched illegally on August 5, 2019 and also resolve the Kashmir issue through dialogue.
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“The issue of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be resolved through the barrel of a gun. Reconciliation and dialogue are the only means available towards securing durable peace in the subcontinent. Resorting to suppression and military means has only further alienated people and shrunk the constituency of those advocating democratic and constitutional means,” Mehbooba said.
She said that New Delhi has lost the trust of people of Jammu and Kashmir. “The only way to win over the people of Jammu and Kashmir is to shun suppressive mindset, restore the rights of people and stop assaults on the identity and Muslim majority character of Jammu and Kashmir,” she added.
Mehbooba said that in 1947, the then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru entered into accession with the then J&K leadership with a promise that the identity of people would be protected by all means and a special status would be granted.
“Had BJP been in power at that point of time, J&K wouldn’t have been part of India today,” she said.
She alleged that BJP is misusing its agencies to crush the dissent in Kashmir. “If better sense doesn’t prevail in the BJP camp, India is all set to break into parts on communal and religious lines,” the PDP chief said
Mehbooba said that Afghanistan has become a testimony to the fact that unless efforts are made to win the hearts and minds of the people, military might is of no use.
She said that Taliban made US forces flee from Afghanistan, but the entire world is watching the behaviour of Taliban.
“I urge the Taliban not to commit any act that forces the world to go against them. Role of guns is over there and the world community is watching how they would behave with the people,” She said.
Those who attended the meeting or addressed gathering included party general secretary Dr Mehboob Beg, senior leader and PAC member Sartaj Madni, party chief spokesperson Suhail Bukhari, Kulgam constituency incharge Mohammad Amin Dar and senior leader Farooq Ahmed.
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