Excelsior Correspondent
ANANTNAG, Dec 1: National Conference Working President Omar Abdullah today termed Union Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju’s statement in the Rajya Sabha as an oversimplification of a complex political issue in Kashmir that has claimed thousands of young lives and said New Delhi should look beyond aggressive, conventional rhetoric and acknowledge the gravity of the situation in Kashmir.
Addressing a delegates’ convention for Anantnag and Kulgam districts at Dak Bunglow here today, the NC Working President said such remarks emanating from New Delhi were in fact reflections of insensitive statements made by Mehbooba Mufti over the course of the last five months.
“Both the Central as well as the State Government should stop portraying the situation in Kashmir as either a manifestation of terrorism or one invented by slush funds. Young children didn’t get killed vying for their share of Hawala money as no amount of money can compensate the inconsolable grief and loss of losing a child – nor can it ever serve as an incentive for losing one’s life”, he said, adding “this conflict has claimed thousands of young lives over the past almost three decades and there is a political sentiment in Kashmir that would continue to exist even without any external interference or financial support”.
“To simply attribute the political issue in Kashmir to slush funds or terrorism at this juncture would be a grave blunder that could have far reaching implications on peace in the State and the region as a whole”, Omar Abdullah said, adding it was extremely tragic that J&K’s own Chief Minister had taken upon herself the task of maligning, stereo-typing and defaming her own people.
“When Mehbooba Mufti blames a father for losing a son, a sister for watching her brother being killed and claims that young boys died while attacking police posts and security installations – she is doing so to serve her purpose in the PDP-BJP alliance – that of an apologist for the Government’s ruthless refusal to politically engage with the sentiment in Kashmir”, Omar said, adding “the same Mehbooba Mufti who didn’t waste a single opportunity to exploit the pain and grief of mourning families with placards in her hand has suddenly become a conspiracy theorist for the other side and blames the killed for getting killed. Nothing can be more ironic and shameful”.
“Now Mehbooba Mufti has the audacity to go to New Delhi to seek CBMs for the people of Kashmir while tormenting the people here”, the National Conference Working President said, adding “we all remember how this same elaborate charade was enacted after Mufti Sayeed passed away and how she still sat on the CM’s chair after New Delhi refused to even acknowledge her demands, forget about accepting them”.
“We are still waiting for those promised CBMs like the revocation of AFSPA, talks between India and Pakistan and a political process involving the Hurriyat Conference leaders. Rather than delivering on a single promise she has made in the past, Mehbooba Mufti wants to insult the people of Kashmir by pretending to ask for more CBMs”, he said.
Asking party leaders, delegates and workers to reach out to the suppressed youth and be at the service of the people, Omar Abdullah said National Conference would fight against PDP’s treachery and tyranny and stand in solidarity with the people of the State in their resolve to rid this State of the politics of lies, deceit and opportunism.
Senior NC leaders including NC General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, NC Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani, NC South Zone President Sakina Ittoo, MLA Pahalgam Altaf Ahmed Kaloo, MLA Homshalibug Abdul Majid Bhat (Larmi), MLC Dr Bashir Ahmed Veeri, MLC Showkat Hussain Ganai also attended the delegates’ convention.
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