PM Modi can rewrite J&K's history with dialogue: Mehbooba Mufti
Prime Minister
Narendra Modi
has the power to 'rewrite J&K's history by resolving the
Kashmir
issue if he wishes', former CM
Mehbooba Mufti
asserted Monday, urging the Centre to abandon its 'security-centric approach' and embrace meaningful reconciliation and dialogue.
Addressing the 26th foundation day of her
Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP), Mehbooba criticised the Centre's approach to governance in the region, saying 'the revocation of
Article 370
hasn't brought peace or prosperity, only deepened alienation'.
The PDP chief stressed that Kashmir was at the 'heart' of foreign policy and Kashmiris first victims of tensions with Pakistan. 'What is India's foreign policy without
Jammu and Kashmir
at its heart? Decades of conflict have brought only suffering, wars end, only to be replaced by new ones.
Pakistan has invested in war machinery and India, once revered as the elephant for its strength and wisdom, has shackled J&K with a heavy-handed approach,' Mehbooba told hundreds of PDP workers at Srinagar's Sheri Kashmir Park.
The ex-CM bemoaned what she claimed was a planned boost in force deployments. 'Now, govt says we will bring 20 more battalions to J&K. How many more troops will you send here? How can it make a difference?' she asked.
Mehbooba stressed that 'the people of J&K are not enemies'. 'They are citizens seeking justice and inclusion. The Centre must stop treating this region as a security problem and start addressing it as a political issue requiring dialogue and statesmanship.'
The Mehbooba-led PDP is often criticised by J&K's governing National Conference (NC) for her party's alliance with BJP in 2015, leading to a coalition govt helmed by her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed as chief minister.
Mehbooba defended the move, saying the tie-up with BJP was for peace and reconciliation and she was not 'ashamed' of it.
According to Mehbooba, PDP has been in power for six of the past 26 years since its formation, but its approach has remained the same, whether in govt or opposition -- unwavering commitment to dialogue, a vision set by founder Sayeed. 'PDP has always championed engagement over suppression. Our goal is a peaceful, prosperous J&K, integrated with India through mutual respect, not coercion,' Mehbooba said.
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