Srinagar, Jul 28: Warning Delhi against attempts of eroding Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, PDP President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti Sunday said that any tinkering with Article 35-A will be akin to “setting a powder keg on fire.”
She warned the Centre by saying that “a hand that would try to touch the Article will burn along with the body”.
“We warn the Centre that tinkering with 35-A is like touching the powder keg. Jo haath 35-A ke saath ched chaad kay liye uthenge who haath hi nahi who sara jism jal ke raakh hojayega (Any hand which will attempt to tinker with Article 35-A will burn along with the body),” she said while addressing the party workers during a function here on the 20th foundation day of PDP.
Mehbooba’s comments came two days after the Centre decided to deploy 100 additional companies of paramilitary forces in Jammu and Kashmir triggering rumours that “something major” was going to happen in the state soon.
Calling people to “ready themselves for a bigger fight”, Mehbooba said attempts are being made to “weaken people of Kashmir politically and economically.”
“We are in a very difficult situation. A sort of terror has been created in Kashmir. Our institutions including J&K bank and others are not safe. Elections will come and go but the real test is to save the special position and constitution of Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.
“We know it is a very difficult fight but you don’t have to feel scared. Anything can happen and we will have to fight till our last breath,” Mehbooba added.
The PDP president claimed that “only her party had could protect the state’s special status.”
“PDP is much needed for people of Jammu and Kashmir. People might be angry with us but they know that only PDP can fight and take the state out of the mess. They know that PDP is the sole party, which is based on truth and principles. So we shall expect your (people’s) support so that we can repeat 1999 when we unitedly fought against the excesses and tyranny,” Mehbooba said.
“The fight we are fighting can land me in jail but I am not bothered even if it costs my life,” she added.
The former Chief Minister criticised the National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah for supporting any decision regarding Article 35-A by Supreme Court.
“Is there any Kashmiri who can bear any tinkering with Article 35-A either by Centre or Supreme court. These parties do speak our language but not with heart,” she claimed.
Mehbooba said the attempts are being constantly made by the Centre to “harass” her party members.
“So many tactics are being applied to harass people now. Can Naeem sahab be a corrupt leader? Another leader Aijaz Mir is being continuously called by NIA even when such episodes has happened in Kashmir before when a SPO’s or PSOs gun was snatched,” She said.
Mehbooba said that her party “won’t compromise with the sacrifices of people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
“Only some days back four Kashmiris who were detained on false charges were freed after 23 years. Further many have been killed either in the name of militants or mukhbir. I request my workers to visit to the graveyard of our people and promise them that Article 370 is like a firm wall, which will be protected by the people of state,” she said.
Mehbooba said that it was under National Conference’s rule that NIA and POTA was introduced in Jammu and Kashmir.
“NIA that has barged in our homes was brought by Omar Abdullah when he ran a government with Congress. Similarly POTA was implemented when he entered into an alliance with BJP,” she said.
