Mehbooba faces heat over Jantar Mantar comment, oppn accuses her justifying use of force
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti is facing backlash for comments appearing to justify the use of force in Kashmir by contrasting it with protests in Delhi. Political opponents, including CM Omar Abdullah, have demanded an apology, arguing her remarks undermine the struggle for rights in the region.
Why it matters
The controversy underscores the ongoing political sensitivity surrounding human rights and security policies in the Kashmir region.
SRINAGAR: PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti’s comment at the Jantar Mantar protest, where she appeared to justify the use of force in Kashmir by citing “militancy”, has invited a backlash in J&K, with governing NC and other parties demanding her apology.Leading the NC charge, chief minister Omar Abdullah said Mehbooba stayed away from his party’s July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar to press for restoration of statehood, but defended the suppression of Kashmiris in the guise of fighting “militancy” at the same venue. If a crackdown on people seeking their rights is supported by people in positions of power, it would deter Kashmiris from protesting for statehood or any other cause, he argued.
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