Ishfaq-ul-Hassan
SRINAGAR—A new political row has erupted in Jammu and Kashmir after the government allegedly placed former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti under house arrest.
Mehbooba was to travel to Shopian to meet the family of a Kashmir pandit who was shot at and injured by militants a few days ago.
“Placed under house arrest today because I wanted to visit the family of the Kashmiri pandit attacked in Shopian. Government of India wilfully spreads fake propaganda about Kashmiri mainstream & Muslims responsible for pandit exodus & doesn’t want this fake divisive narrative to be exposed,” Mehbooba tweeted.
She asked who is going to benefit from hate and mistrust. “Doesn’t take a genius to figure out who will benefit politically by deepening mistrust & sowing seeds of division & hatred,” she said.
Last week, Bal Krishan was shot at by militants outside his medical shop at Choutigam in Shopian. He received critical injuries and was shifted to Srinagar for treatment. Later he was evacuated to the army hospital for specialized treatment.
Mehbooba was supposed to visit Shopian to express solidarity with the family. “The house arrest of Mehbooba Mufti at a time when she wanted to visit the family of Kashmiri Pandit, betrays the courageous and inspiring revolution of 2019,” said Satish Mahaldar, head of J&K Peace forum, a Kashmiri pandit organization.
Mahaldar said Mehbooba was once seen as a beacon for human rights – a principled leader who gave up her freedom to challenge the ruthless violence in Kashmir.
“Mehbooba’s representation and engagement in leadership roles have put women’s issues at the front of the national agenda, challenging the traditional hierarchies of knowledge and power by highlighting undervalued and unrecognized knowledge. She always advocated inclusive, diverse, and representative decisions, he said.
He said house arrests and illegal arrests must be immediately stopped. “She should be immediately freed. Suppression of public voice is undemocratic and against the Constitution. Even during an emergency, every citizen has the right to protest. Nobody has the power to prevent fundamental rights. We urge Lieutenant Governor and Home Minister to ensure abolishment of gender inequality in politics which will accelerate progress,” he said.
Mahaldar said Jammu and Kashmir has been a beacon of progress for the region, and it is an urgent need to restore civilian rule. “A clear and principled path of reforms can fulfill the people’s aspirations to democracy, the rule of law, and human rights,” he said.
