Make J&K bridge of friendship, not theatre of war: Mehbooba

Srinagar, May 31: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, on Saturday reiterated her party’s commitment to peace and dialogue, warning against the rising tide of war rhetoric that continues to impact the people of the region.
Addressing party workers here, Mehbooba said that Jammu and Kashmir has always borne the brunt of war and violence, comparing the region to “grass trampled under the feet of two fighting elephants.”
“The PDP will continue to raise its voice for peace and channel the sentiments of the people. We must end the spectre of war so that people can plan their lives and revive the economy. Jammu and Kashmir should be a bridge of understanding, friendship, and cooperation — not a theatre for war,” she said in her address.
Reacting strongly to recent remarks by the National Conference (NC) leadership, including party patriarch Dr. Farooq Abdullah’s call for intensified military action against Pakistan, Mehbooba said such statements reflect a dangerous mindset.
“When the Indus Water Treaty was put in abeyance by the Government of India, it was Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who hailed the move and even advocated for an immediate halt to water supplies to Pakistan. We are not Yazeeds. We may have political differences with the government of Pakistan, but not with its people. It is saddening that such remarks are being made by the leader of the only Muslim-majority state in the country.”
She further criticized Dr. Farooq Abdullah for reportedly supporting assaults “more brutal than the Balakot strike”.
“These leaders want more war and more dead bodies. It is, however, only the PDP that has consistently advocated for an end to hostilities and has spoken for the people’s right to live a life of dignity.”
The PDP President also expressed concern over the ongoing crackdown in the region.
“Our youth are being jailed, and Public Safety Acts (PSAs) are being misused. If such draconian measures were truly effective, incidents like Pahalgam would not have occurred. If the goal is to fight militancy, don’t wage war against the poor people of Jammu and Kashmir, many of whom are languishing in jails outside the state. Their families cannot even afford to visit them.”
Reflecting on the 2014 coalition formation, Mehbooba recalled that her father, the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, entered the alliance not for power but for the greater good.
“It was a sacrifice meant to pull the region out of uncertainty. Our agenda has always been peace and improved Indo-Pak relations,” she said.
Mehbooba also took a dig at the National Conference, pointing out their constant attempts to appease BJP at the cost of people’s interests and their own mandate.
“The same minister who introduced the Waqf Bill was later welcomed and garlanded in Kashmir by the NC leadership. The NC, despite having 50 MLAs, didn’t even allow a resolution to be passed in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly against the Waqf amendment.”
“PDP is not in politics for power. Mufti Sahab used his limited tenure to end draconian laws like POTA and dismantle the Task Force. Today, while others chase power, we remain committed to giving the people of Jammu and Kashmir a dignified future,” Mehbooba said.(KNS)