Srinagar, May 01: “Kashmiris were never votaries of violence but were caught between two guns,” People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said on Thursday.
Reacting to the recent killing of tourists in Pahalgam, she said the spontaneous protests by locals were a message from the people of Kashmir to terrorists that terrorism is not acceptable.
“Those tourists were our guests. This was a moment where Kashmiris stood up to say no to terror. This is an opportunity for the central government to recognise that Kashmiris have taken a small but meaningful step. The nation must now take two,” she said in an exclusive interview with KNS.
Mehbooba said she had conveyed her serious concerns to the Union Home Minister, particularly regarding the heightened tension and the fear-struck atmosphere for Kashmiris living in other states. “You’re the Home Minister of the entire country. Our students in different parts of India are being abused. Traders are scared. I told the Home Minister that if Kashmiris are extending a hand, you must not push them away,” she said.
Mufti said she even appealed to the Home Minister in a statement that collective punishment is not a solution. “I heard that there was a change in approach later. There’s still a shortage of clarity, but I hope some positive intervention will happen,” she added.
The former chief minister highlighted the humane response of people like Adil Shah, a local Kashmiri youth who tried to save tourists at the cost of losing his own life. She said, “Kashmiris have changed. They don’t want violence anymore. They have dropped the gun. They want peace,” she stressed.
Referring to the backlash against the recent militant attack on tourists, she said even terrorists were shocked by the strong public protest. “People went to every corner protesting. That was to show we reject this terrorism. The tourists were our guests, and Kashmiris were deeply hurt,” she said.
Mufti said this is not the first time Kashmiris have been blamed. “When Kashmiri Pandits left, the accusation was on Kashmiris. Now, tourists have died, and again we are blamed. But look at how people reacted—it was dignified, peaceful, and in protest against (terrorism),” she added
Reacting to the question on skipping the All Parties Meeting called by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the PDP chief said, “Our four senior leaders attended it. I believe it was just a condolence meeting. The government here has no power to make a decision. All power was being centralised in Delhi.”
Mehbooba strongly criticised the government for deportation orders and the confiscation of property. “Thousands have been arrested. Many people who have lived here for 30 or 40 years are being told to leave. They married here, raised children. Now they are being declared Pakistanis? This is cruel and deeply unjust,” she said.
She warned that demolition drives and seizures of homes will only push people away. “This will only distance Kashmiris. If we come one step forward, the nation should take two. Instead, you’re doing things that push us back. I told the Home Minister directly,” she said.
