Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, Dec 7: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti today urged the Union Government to immediately review its Jammu and Kashmir policy, warning that a recent suicide attack in Delhi involving an “educated young doctor” reflects growing desperation among Kashmiri youth despite claims of normalcy after the abrogation of Article 370.
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Speaking at an interaction programme here, Mufti said the Delhi incident “left her shivering.” “As a mother, I think we need to talk to the people here, especially the young men. What is pushing our educated youth to embrace death instead of life?” she said.
Mufti said the PDP has launched direct outreach to youth to understand their concerns. “Young men from within and outside the party came today. Everyone was given a chance to speak. They shared their feelings and also offered suggestions. This will not be our last meeting. We will go to other areas in Jammu and Kashmir, and we will travel to different states across the country as well,” she said.
She said that many young Kashmiris fear mistreatment when they leave the region. “People here have apprehensions about the behaviour they face outside Jammu and Kashmir. This is one of the real problems because of which the situation here is worsening,” she said.
Mufti said Jammu and Kashmir wants to coexist peacefully with India but “with dignity and respect.” “We are not saying Jammu and Kashmir will run away. Jammu and Kashmir wants to live happily in this country, not under the pressure of UAPA, PSA, NIA, and other agencies. Reconciliation is necessary, especially with the youth who have become very sad and emotionally broken. We need to build a bridge with them,” she added.
Mufti said the situation in Kashmir has been turbulent for decades but has worsened since 2019. “They finished everything on August 5, 2019 by abrogating Article 370 and claimed everything was fine. If a stone or a gun is gone, and now an educated youth has turned into a suicide bomber, this is not a good sign. We want peace in Jammu and Kashmir and peace in the country, but peace comes through dialogue and understanding, not coercion.”
Mufti said that the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and National Security Advisor must reassess their approach to Kashmir.
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