Omar Abdullah Criticizes Mehbooba Mufti's Comments on Kashmir Violence

Abdullah's Strong Response to Mufti's Remarks

(File photo) Srinagar, July 27 - Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed on Monday that Mehbooba Mufti, the president of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), should have remained at home instead of visiting Jantar Mantar. He stated that she ought to apologize for her comments justifying the use of force against Kashmiris. Speaking to reporters outside his office, Abdullah remarked that irresponsible statements from those who have held power can deter the public from fighting for their rights. Mufti had attended a protest led by the 'Cockroach Public Party' on July 23, which was against irregularities in examinations.

In her defense of police actions against student protesters in Delhi, Mufti appeared to justify the previous use of pellet guns in the Valley. She claimed that the situation in Kashmir was unique due to security forces combating terrorism. Abdullah's National Conference (NC) and other opposition parties reacted sharply to her statements.

The PDP accused the ruling NC of distorting Mufti's remarks at Jantar Mantar using artificial intelligence (AI). Abdullah stated, 'When a former chief minister claims that using force to combat terrorism in Kashmir is justified, who will step forward to fight for their rights? It would have been better if she hadn't gone to Jantar Mantar.' He added, 'If we (leaders) support the oppression and use of force by the center, who will back the people if they want to protest for the restoration of statehood?'

He emphasized that people would refrain from coming out because Mufti has indicated that such actions are acceptable. The Chief Minister clarified that Mufti did not attend the protest at Jantar Mantar to advocate for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood but rather to support the student protests. He remarked, 'She did not go there for Jammu and Kashmir. Instead, she went there to justify the misuse of power and force under the pretext of fighting terrorism.'

Abdullah questioned, 'How does she justify this? Should children not receive justice because of terrorism? Should passports be withheld due to terrorism? Should laws not be enforced because of terrorism? I fail to understand how this can be justified.'

He pointed out Mufti's tendency to make different statements in Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir, suggesting she was trying to appease certain groups. He stated, 'Let’s assume she was trying to please some people there for a while. She hasn't forgotten her old habit of saying different things in different places.'

Abdullah insisted that Mufti should apologize for her comments. Following the recent killing of a police officer in Anantnag, which led to mass detentions, Abdullah lamented that it was unfortunate that Mufti was justifying the harassment of people in the name of combating terrorism. He noted that speaking out against arrests after returning to Kashmir was pointless, saying, 'She should have addressed this in Delhi, where media from across the country was present and all eyes were on Jantar Mantar.'

He concluded that he opposes detaining people, as terrorism cannot be eradicated without public support.