Srinagar, May 04: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Zuhaib Yousf Mir on Sunday criticised the National Conference (NC) leadership for what he called “hypocritical actions” and attempts to “woo the BJP” at the expense of Kashmiri unity and national perception.
Addressing the PDP convention in Dak Bungalow, Anantnag, Mir highlighted the NC’s engagement with a minister responsible for introducing the Waqf Bill, saying the party leaders, Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah met the minister at Tulip Garden, which signalled a “surrender” to the BJP.
“This move undermines the expectations of the Muslim community across India, which looks to Jammu & Kashmir—home to the only Muslim Chief Minister—for leadership,” he said.
The PDP further condemned the NC for attributing local support to the recent Pahalgam attack, aligning their rhetoric with BJP’s fringe elements. “Such claims fuel xenophobia against Kashmiris nationwide, betraying the region’s struggle and unity against terrorism,” he said, adding, “The irony is that NC leaders, whose actions during the rigged 1987 elections contributed to the rise of (terrorism), now blaming locals for terrorism in the Pahalgam attack.”
Mir praised individuals like Himanshi Narwal, a Hindu whose husband was martyred in the Pahalgam attack, for rejecting xenophobia and communal division. He also lauded Adil Shah, a Kashmiri Muslim who sacrificed his life to protect others, terming him a true embodiment of Kashmiri and Indian values.
Despite widespread protests by Kashmiris against terrorism, Mir accused the NC of misrepresenting the region’s stance to curry favor with the BJP.
The PDP leader called for unity and urged the NC to “stop divisive rhetoric that harms Kashmir’s image and fuels distrust”. “True patriotism and humanity, as shown by Narwal and Shah, should guide the region’s leadership,” he added.
