Mufti, who was addressing the party’s district convention in Srinagar, said Modi would be “greatly remembered” if he resolved the Kashmir issue and brought peace to the country and across South Asia.
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She said the solution to the Kashmir issue lies in dialogue and within the framework of the Constitution. Mufti said Modi enjoys the support of the people and nobody would question his decisions, as was the case when he visited Pakistan soon after taking oath in his first term.
She asserted that the outreach to the people of Jammu and Kashmir is “a natural starting point” after the recent assertions of RSS general secretary, Dattaterya Hosabale, who had said that “the window of dialogue with Pakistan should remain open”.
“Freeing prisoners would be the first real confidence-building measure and would send a strong message of reconciliation and healing to the people of Kashmir…UAPA and PSA should be repealed and power projects returned to J&K,” said Mufti.
The PDP chief added, “The atmosphere of silence and fear in Kashmir, especially in force after 2019, must end as the youth deserve dignity and hope. Too much fear generates anger and hate. Do you want us to hate our own country…hate must end… the message of peace spoken about by RSS leaders should also be reflected on the ground through confidence-building measures.”She referred to Modi’s efforts to reach out to Pakistan and Kashmir, saying he went to Lahore but it was followed by the Pathankot attack. “When stone pelting was going on, Modiji sent representatives from across the country to the doorstep of Hurriyat leaders to convince them. It had never happened… but alas the response from the other side was not appropriate,” said Mufti, adding, “Pakistan also has to think over it and must also respond positively to India’s outreach efforts.”
In her appeal to the PM, Mufti said that building roads and focussing on development was not enough. “Development is good…but one Pahalgam attack can derail tourism and everything else… How will development rescue us at that point… but talks can make you a statesman for peace in the region and South Asia. Peace in Kashmir can show the way forward,” said Mufti.
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The PDP president also said that people of Srinagar have suffered and sacrificed a lot since 1931 and they shape the opinion of the whole region. “Srinagar is currently suffering. Most of the people in jails are from Srinagar. This city has to decide the way forward, and everyone else will follow the suit,” she said.
