File photo: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti
SRINAGAR: PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti’s comment at the Jantar Mantar protest, where she appeared to justify the use of force in Kashmir by citing “militancy”, has invited a backlash in J&K, with governing NC and other parties demanding her apology.Leading the NC charge, chief minister Omar Abdullah said Mehbooba stayed away from his party’s July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar to press for restoration of statehood, but defended the suppression of Kashmiris in the guise of fighting “militancy” at the same venue. If a crackdown on people seeking their rights is supported by people in positions of power, it would deter Kashmiris from protesting for statehood or any other cause, he argued. The PDP chief should admit that she got carried away and should say sorry, Omar said.A defensive PDP claimed her remark had been twisted, but this drew further criticism.Mehbooba visited Jantar Mantar on July 23 to extend support to the CJP-led protest over the NEET paper leak. Referring to the use of force against protesters in Delhi, she drew a parallel with Kashmir.“We have seen this for the first time in Delhi. We have witnessed it in Kashmir for many years. Magar wahan militancy hai, uska ek banta hai (But militancy exists there, so it is understandable). There, you have militants on one side and security forces on the other. Here, no one is a militant and they (protesters) don’t even have stones in their hands,” she is heard saying in a widely circulated video.It’s the “banta hai” remark that has kicked up a storm. “She appeared to justify the misuse of power in Jammu and Kashmir, arrests and other actions, by saying that due to militancy here, such measures are acceptable. In what sense are they acceptable? Does militancy mean the law should not be followed? Does it mean our children should not get justice? Does it mean people’s passports should be withheld?” the CM asked.“This old habit of saying one thing in Jammu and Kashmir and another in Delhi has still not gone away,” he added.“A former chief minister has stated it is acceptable to suppress people’s protests through force. After such a statement, no Kashmiri will feel encouraged to come out and fight for their rights,” Omar further said.PDP legislator Waheed Para claimed Mehbooba’s comment had been misrepresented. According to him, she was only making the point that while the repression in Kashmir was carried out in the name of fighting terrorism and “militancy,” what justification did the authorities have for using force against protesters in Delhi.PC staged a protest against Mehbooba’s remark. “During her tenure, bloodshed took place, pellet guns were used and thousands of our youths suffered. Those who suffered cannot now be branded as militants,” the party said.
