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Commentators say Mufti is trying to fill in the gap left by Hurriyat
NEW DELHI: Just days ahead of the crucial G20 meetings in Srinagar, Mehbooba Mufti’s party, the J&K People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has issued a veiled threat to the Modi government. The party mocked the death of soldiers in the Poonch terror attack and aimed to create a “crisis” during the gathering of international delegations.
In its monthly internal newsletter ‘Speak Up’, which was tweeted by Mufti, the PDP accused the central government of alienating the entire population in order to project normalcy in Kashmir.
The headline of the newsletter reads ‘When The Hunter Becomes The Hunted’, referring to security forces as the “hunter” and suggesting that Indian troops were now being “hunted” by terrorists.
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“Never let a good crisis go to waste. And although the G20 meet is hardly a crisis, the government is making full use of it as another opportunity to harass and intimidate Kashmiris,” reads the newsletter shared by Mufti.
Ignoring Pakistan’s role in fomenting trouble in the Kashmir Valley, the PDP blamed the central government for Islamic radicalization and the recruitment of vulnerable youths into terrorist ranks.
“Alienating an entire population comes with a price,” it threatened, adding that the sentiment of ‘azadi’ (freedom) is growing in the Valley.
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The newsletter further stated, “It’s no secret that Indian intelligence is losing its grip over the treacherous Pir Panjal region.”
Speaking to The New Indian, Kashmir-based political commentator Sajid Yousuf Shah
stated that the PDP, often seen siding with Pakistan over India, is attempting to become the Hurriyat.
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“Mehbooba Mufti’s statement regarding the G20 in Kashmir Valley shows her frustration. JKPDP, led by Mehbooba Mufti, feels insecure seeing the development in Kashmir, especially after the abrogation of Article 370. She is trying to appease her vote base, which is Jamaat-e-Islami backed by Pakistan. She knows that the true Kashmir will never vote for her, so it is better for her to play the JeI card, which she and her party have been using for the last three decades,” he said.
Accusing the former chief minister of “trying to paint Kashmiris as violence mongers,” Yusuf added, “The fact is that Kashmir is a peace-loving place, and all Kashmiris welcome the G20 meetings in Kashmir. The PDP is making a great effort to fill the gap left by the Hurriyat.”
