Mehbooba slams Omar for his ‘muted response’ to burning issues of Kashmiris

Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday slammed Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, accusing him of maintaining “silence” on key issues affecting Kashmir, including the plight of Kashmiri prisoners and concerns of ordinary citizens.

Addressing party workers in South Kashmir’s Bijbehara on the 10th death anniversary of PDP founder and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Mehbooba broke down and alleged that Omar Abdullah has failed to speak up on the prevailing political and social situation in the Union Territory.

Advertisement

Mehbooba also said unemployment and alienation in Jammu and Kashmir have reached alarming levels, citing recent incidents, and alleged that the Omar Abdullah-led government has remained silent on these burning issues.

“Omar enjoys an absolute majority and his party has representation in both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha, yet he chooses to remain silent on issues that directly impact the poor and marginalised,” she said.

The PDP chief also criticised the Chief Minister for what she termed as the government’s “muted response” to issues such as land acquisition for projects and the problems faced by orchardists in Kashmir.

She said that land is the only source of survival for thousands of families in Kashmir, especially orchardists and small farmers, and any decision to take land must be accompanied by concrete assurances of jobs and rehabilitation for affected locals.

“Before taking even an inch of land for a railway or any other project, the government must ensure that all unemployed youth and every affected family get jobs. Land here is not just property; it is a livelihood, identity and a survival for poor families”, she said

Mehbooba said, “Omar does not understand what an orchard or a piece of land means to a poor family. That is why he remains silent and refuses to raise his voice for people whose livelihoods are under threat.”

She emphasised that the leadership of Mufti Sayeed was built on “credibility and trust,” noting that despite having only 16 seats during his tenure, he commanded national respect from leaders such as then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The PDP leader said that had her father been in power, Kashmiris wouldn’t have faced humiliation and problems they were being subjected to under the National Conference regime.

A large number of PDP activists turned up for the event, braving biting cold in the region.