Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti has strongly criticized a judgment by a former Chief Justice of India, alleging that it has the potential to divide the country along communal lines.
Addressing the media, she expressed concerns over the growing tensions and cited incidents that could lead to further discord among communities.
Mehbooba stated that religious places, whether temples, mosques, or shrines, should remain as they were in 1947. “These places should not be altered in any way. Unfortunately, the judgment has opened a path where controversies over religious sites are escalating.
Earlier, Shivlings were being claimed in mosques, and now even shrines like Ajmer Sharif are at risk,” she said.
Highlighting the significance of Ajmer Sharif, Mehbooba said it is a site revered by people of all faiths, including Hindus, who visit in large numbers to seek blessings. She called the shrine a symbol of harmony, with a history spanning over 800 years.
She feared that such developments could lead to disturbances in the country, akin to the Partition of 1947.
Referring to the recent violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, where several innocent lives were lost, Mehbooba warned that such incidents, if unchecked, could push the nation towards chaos.
She accused certain forces of eroding the secular foundation of India, which leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Sardar Patel, and Mahatma Gandhi worked hard to establish.
“The secular fabric of our nation is being shaken. Instead of addressing unemployment, improving education, or providing better healthcare, efforts are being made to pit Hindus and Muslims against each other,” Mehbooba remarked.
She held the former Chief Justice responsible for playing a “negative role” in this matter, stating that his actions have contributed to the current climate of unrest. Mehbooba urged the government to prioritize unity and focus on issues affecting common citizens rather than stoking communal tensions (KNS)
