‘No difference between East India Company & BJP: Mehbooba ‘Not India but an individual party snatched all rights from us’
SRINAGAR: Raising questions over the killing of three youth in different encounters, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti Wednesday sought probe into the encounter in which Imran Dar, Zakir Ahmed and Azad Mushtaq were killed.
“Families of these youth told me they were innocent and labelled as militants. I ask IGP to answer these questions. These encounters should be probed,” Mehbooba said and appealed youth to shun gun culture and follow the path of non-violence.
“We should learn something from Gandhi who fought against British oppression. Our youth pick up gun and get killed. Don’t give anyone opportunity to kill you. Your families suffer. Follow the path of non-violence,” she said.
Mehbooba was addressing to party workers on 22nd foundation day of Peoples Democratic Party.
PDP was founded in 1999 by late Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed.
Hitting BJP left, right and centre, Mehbooba said that there is no difference between BJP and East India Company. She said East India Company exploited India fully during British rule and same is done by BJP in Kashmir. “Kashmir has not been destroyed by India but by an individual party which is BJP. It has let loose a reign of terror in Kashmir,” she said.
“During the meeting in New Delhi, I told Prime Minister Modi that you have abrogated Article 370 illegally and unconstitutionally and this is unacceptable to the people of Kashmir. We should not lose hope. Whatever was snatched from Kashmiris on August 5, 2019 will have to be returned with interest,” she said referring to the annulment of special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
She said an individual party (BJP) bifurcated the only Muslim majority State. “It was not done by India but by and individual party. This party resorted to unconstitutional means to snatch the rights of people of Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.
She said they will raise their voice peacefully within the constitution of India. “People of Jammu and Kashmir were inclined to India keeping its democratic values into consideration but whatever was given to the people by India itself have been taken back,” Mehbooba Mufti said adding that draconian Acts are slapped on those who raise their voice against oppression.
“They are not fighting against Pakistan and China but with the people of Kashmir. We have to raise our voices against the oppression,” she said.
Mehbooba Mufti said that PDP was formed for the well-being of the people. (KNT)
