Mehbooba backs Rahul amid ‘traitor’ remark storm, blames BJP’s past rhetoric

PDP chief and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said that the BJP was reaping what it sowed after years of labelling Muslims and secular people as traitors.

Mehbooba was responding to a question about Rahul calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah “traitors”, who “worked to sell India” — remarks that have stirred a political storm.

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Speaking to reporters in south Kashmir’s Shopian, Mehbooba brushed aside the controversy over Rahul’s remark. “Why is there so much hue and cry if Rahul Gandhi has said something? It was the BJP which started calling Muslims and secular persons as traitors,” she said.

“Since 2014, the BJP has labelled every individual here a ‘traitor’ or a ‘turncoat.’ Yet, back then, none of you raised an outcry. On the contrary, that period was marked by the hurling of abuses; Muslims were subjected to threats, and their homes were bulldozed. At that time, no one raised a voice of protest. So, why is there such an uproar now that Rahul has merely made a statement? This is, in fact, the consequence of the BJP’s own actions — labelling every Muslim and secular individual a ‘traitor’ and telling them to ‘go to Pakistan.’

Now, they even tell them to ‘go to Iran.’ Therefore, I feel that the very seeds the BJP sowed within this country are now bearing fruit. Those same seeds are yielding their harvest, and the party has begun to reap what it sowed.”

Speaking at a rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Rae Bareli, Rahul is reported to have said that the Modi government’s policies damaged India’s economy.