The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday urged people to exercise their voting rights judiciously in response to what she termed as “contentious laws” like the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and to thwart the “divisive tactics employed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).”

According to the news agency KNO, Mufti, addressing reporters at the party headquarters in Srinagar, cautioned against falling into the trap laid by the BJP, emphasizing that laws like the CAA are mere distractions orchestrated to divert attention from pressing issues such as unemployment, agrarian distress, and inflation.

Accusing the BJP of fostering communalism and exacerbating religious tensions in the country, Mehbooba underscored the need for vigilance and unity among citizens, particularly the Muslim community, to resist such “divisive agendas.”

Drawing attention to the repercussions of the CAA, Mehbooba lamented the demolition of mosques, searches in religious institutions, and targeted vilification of Muslims.

She urged the populace to remain calm and steadfast in the face of provocations, cautioning against reactionary responses that could exacerbate communal tensions. “Many mosques were demolished, idols were searched in every mosque, madrassas and houses of people were demolished. Namazis are being insulted. They (BJP) have tried every trick. When they saw that Muslims were still not coming out, the way they wanted, they used this trick called CAA,” alleged the PDP Chief.

Highlighting the significance of peaceful protests like the one at Shaheen Bagh in Delhi, Mufti expressed concern over the detention of numerous youth without bail, urging Hindus and Muslims alike to refrain from falling prey to the BJP's machinations. Instead, she advocated for continued engagement in democratic processes and emphasized the power of voting as a means to challenge “oppressive” laws and policies.

Mufti also denounced the BJP's attempts to undermine democracy and subvert the Constitution, warning against the erosion of secular values in the name of religious politics. She emphasized the importance of consulting experts and considering the ecological and economic implications before implementing projects like the proposed railway line in southern Kashmir's Shopian district, which could adversely impact the region's delicate ecosystem and economy.

“Jammu and Kashmir, especially the valley, is environmentally a fragile zone. Its ecosystem is delicate. Our economy is dependent on the fruit industry. If you plan a railway line through every village without thinking about it, thousands of trees will be damaged. This will prove disastrous for our economy,” Mehbooba said.

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SRINAGAR — The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Party Vice President Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that BJP has given Ramadan gift to Muslims by notifying CAA “which is against the very foundation of our constitution”.

He said this while talking to the press at the party headquarters Nawa-e-Subha. Omar Abdullah said that notifying (CAA) days before the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections shows the BJP is not confident about winning 400 seats in the ensuing polls.

"It is evident that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wants to use religion in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. It was passed in 2019, but notifying the CAA (rules) just a few days before the bugle of elections is to be blown, perhaps making it clear what their aim is," he said.

He added, "They were saying that after the construction of the Ram Temple, they could not lose. But perhaps they feel that their position is weak and that is why they have to use these new weapons to sway gullible voters.”

He further emphasised that BJP wants to use religion in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. “Muslims have always been a target of the BJP, which is not something new for the party. Even in the CAA, Muslims have been made a specific target. This is not new for the BJP as this has been their approach before as well. It seems they want to use the politics of polarisation in the upcoming elections,” he said.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse