Jammu, Feb 13: PDP President Mehbooba Mufti described the situation in Jammu and Kashmir as an “incurable disease,” asserting that the BJP appears disinterested in resolving it, similar to the Pakistani military’s approach, which seeks to polarize the region for electoral gain. She emphasized that addressing this issue is crucial for peace and criticized the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, stating that it did not resolve the conflict but rather deepened the dissatisfaction among the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The Jammu and Kashmir issue resembles an incurable disease that requires treatment. How can we achieve this? By healing the wounds of the people and reopening the cross-Line of Control routes that the BJP government closed in 2019,” Mehbooba said as she commenced her party’s membership drive at the party headquarters here.
Following the closure of cross-LoC trade and travel in April 2019 at the Salamabad-Uri and Chakan-Da-Bagh points, the Centre cited concerns regarding “illegal weapons, narcotics, and counterfeit currency” entering India.
“If everything is fine in J&K, as claimed by Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, then why not reopen the cross-border routes? Let them come see the situation for themselves. We have numerous medical colleges and universities here,” the former chief minister remarked.
She further alleged that the BJP seeks to keep the Jammu and Kashmir issue unresolved to bolster its national voter base.
“Just as the Pakistan military establishment aims to keep tensions high in Kashmir to maintain its relevance, it seems the BJP also prefers not to resolve the Kashmir issue. My father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, used to say that the BJP was a nationalist party, particularly because former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee engaged General Pervez Musharraf in discussions to foster peace in Jammu and Kashmir,” Mehbooba noted.
“If the J&K issue serves the interests of the Pakistan Army, it appears that the BJP may also anticipate incidents of violence that could foster a Hindu-Muslim divide,” she added.
Criticizing the abrogation of Article 370, Mehbooba stated that this constitutional provision acted as a protective barrier for the peoples of Jammu and Kashmir, including Dogras, Kashmiris, Gujjars, Paharis, and Sikhs, safeguarding their land and employment.
“By removing this protective cover, they have rendered us vulnerable. They are aware that abrogating Article 370 did not fix the underlying issues. Whenever tensions arise, the home minister convenes security review meetings in Delhi—something that never happened before. There is a palpable fear that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are unhappy. A volcano of discontent is brewing and could erupt at any moment,” she stated.
Mehbooba accused the BJP of using the abrogation of Article 370 as a political tool for electoral gain.
In detailing her call for a resolution to the Jammu and Kashmir issue, she expressed a desire to prevent further loss of life, citing recent tragic incidents involving soldiers and local residents.
“Recently, a young man in Kathua tragically took his own life following alleged police abuse, and a truck driver was shot by the army in Baramulla… residents face harassment under the guise of combating militancy in Kathua, which is actually free from such issues,” Mehbooba lamented.
“Despite the home minister’s involvement, the Lieutenant Governor is consistently holding security review meetings in Srinagar and Jammu. Why convene such meetings when there are no apparent problems? Why are there no discussions on pressing issues like unemployment, drug abuse, or the rising crime rates in Jammu?” she questioned.
Mehbooba commended her father’s foresight in advocating for the opening of routes such as Srinagar-Muzaffarabad, Poonch-Rawalakot, and Jammu-Sialkot, asserting that their opening would greatly benefit the people, particularly those in Jammu, as it becomes directly connected to the national rail network.
She urged the communities in Jammu and Kashmir to unite in seeking a resolution to their issues, warning that while the people of Ladakh sought Union Territory status before 2019, they now face significant challenges as their land and resources are increasingly allocated to outsiders.
