Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday accused the Union government of flip-flopping over the real issue of Kashmir and warned against demonisation of Kashmiris.
"Dialogue has been prescribed whenever J-K is on the boil and on a normal day it is business as usual for the government. While no one expected any good thing out of the state government that displayed no mercy for its own people, the Union government has only been flip-flopping on the issue," said Mufti at her residence in Srinagar during a press conference.
Mufti alleged that New Delhi is beating around the bush over real problem. "The discourse, unfortunately, is still not around solution to the basic problem but the methods of controlling the anger," said Mufti.
Alleging no humane by the government, Mufti said pellet guns, designed for pleasure shooting and taming wild animals, are the latest entries to the state arsenal. "Non-lethal rubber bullets and tear smoke have already acquired the ability to kill Kashmir youth," said the PDP leader.
Mufti called upon New Delhi "to wake up to the tragic and dangerous situation in Kashmir and suggested four-points as panacea to the Kashmir problem.
"New Delhi should start immediate and serious negotiations for final and dignified resolution of Kashmir problem in all its dimensions. Those questioning the status quo should be essential part of dialogue, which otherwise would be futile. Two, order dismantling of the present repressive arrangement in Kashmir to set free the youth and political leaders and stop using brute force against civilians, Three, display a degree of understanding towards a society that has strong civilizational fundamentals, which cannot be subdued by force but is always open to decent and dignified engagement, and four, reach out to student community in a more meaningful and humane manner so as to facilitate their studies," said Mufti.
Seeking New Delhi's attention on the Kashmir problem, Mufti said: "While quarrels are fought with agencies like Google to correct the boundaries of the country's satellite map but on ground Kashmir seems to have been deleted from the mindscape of our national leadership. While a genuine sentiment of sympathy has gone out to neighbouring Pakistan in its hour of grave crisis with some aid as well, Kashmir has turned into an isolated island of apathy, which is marooned in its own blood. There is no one in this country to even provide a shoulder to us to cry," said Mufti.
{{/usCountry}}Seeking New Delhi's attention on the Kashmir problem, Mufti said: "While quarrels are fought with agencies like Google to correct the boundaries of the country's satellite map but on ground Kashmir seems to have been deleted from the mindscape of our national leadership. While a genuine sentiment of sympathy has gone out to neighbouring Pakistan in its hour of grave crisis with some aid as well, Kashmir has turned into an isolated island of apathy, which is marooned in its own blood. There is no one in this country to even provide a shoulder to us to cry," said Mufti.
{{/usCountry}}She accused the state government of putting an economic squeeze on people through steps like ordering the banks to reduce availability of cash at ATMs and letting loose a reign of terror against children, women and youth in the Holy month of Ramzan.