Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 1: Cautioning against a repeat of the riots similar to those of 1947, Mehbooba Mufti, president of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), stated today that the majority of Hindus in the country are secular. She called for a united effort to combat the forces working to divide society on religious and communal lines.
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“The current situation in the country is alarming. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and B. R. Ambedkar dedicated themselves to making this nation a home for Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians. Gandhi even gave his life for this cause,” remarked the former Chief Minister.
“Yet, individuals are being set against one another based on religion, and I fear we are being pushed toward a scenario reminiscent of 1947,” the PDP leader stated while addressing party workers today.
She criticized the BJP government for its failure to provide jobs, education, quality hospitals, and infrastructure, accusing it of diverting public attention by targeting mosques under the pretext of uncovering temples beneath them.
“This reflects the current state in our country. Four innocent youths were killed recently in the Sambhal area of UP, yet who will advocate for them? Anyone who does will end up imprisoned like Umar Khalid, who has faced incarceration for the last four years. In these circumstances, no one is listening,” Mehbooba expressed.
The PDP leader pointed to a petition alleging that the Ajmer Sharif Dargah was constructed over a Shiva temple, emphasizing that people of various faiths, including Hindus and Sikhs, visit the 800-year-old shrine, exemplifying the ‘Ganga-Jamuni’ culture.
“Now, there are calls to excavate this shrine in search of a temple. How long will this continue?” she questioned.
“I firmly believe that the majority of Hindus in India are secular. We must rise to confront this emerging situation, as cohabitation is essential; there is no alternative,” she insisted.
She also highlighted the recent Assembly election results, stating, “There is something amiss.”
One state was intentionally overlooked to prevent the opposition from addressing the electoral fraud, she claimed, noting the silence from the Election Commission regarding the dramatic increase in voter turnout following the closing of polls.
“Voting concludes at 6 PM with a 58 percent turnout, which jumps to 68 percent within three hours and reaches 70 percent before counting begins,” Mehbooba highlighted.
Commending Jammu for its secular nature, the PDP president noted the communal harmony among people of different religions in the region.
Asking for support for her party candidates in the upcoming Panchayat and Urban Local Body elections expected next year, Mehbooba criticized the governance in J&K, describing it as being managed by ‘half governments’ which is detrimental to the region.
“On one side, we have the NC-Congress Coalition, and on the other, the BJP ruling through the Lt Governor. The people should rally behind the PDP in the forthcoming elections so we can serve you better,” she concluded.
