Urged people to warmly welcome visitors
Pahalgam, June 15: Former Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said she had hoped Chief Minister Omar Abdullah would convene an all-party meeting and persuade the Prime Minister and Home Minister to initiate dialogue with political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, but alleged that he rejected the proposal and had not responded to her letter.
“Until the people of Jammu and Kashmir emotionally connect with the people of the rest of India, our issues will remain unresolved,” Mufti said.
“We had hoped that CM Omar would convene an all-party meeting and persuade the Prime Minister and the Home Minister to initiate dialogue with the political parties of Jammu and Kashmir so that our grievances could be addressed. However, he rejected the proposal and has not even responded to my letter so far.”
Calling for a people-led outreach initiative, Mufti said the people of Jammu and Kashmir should directly engage with people across the country if the Centre was unwilling to hold talks with them.
“I now believe that the people themselves should take this initiative. Even if the Government of India is unwilling to engage in dialogue with them, they should reach out directly to the people of the country,” she said.
Drawing parallels with Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha movement, Mufti said a peaceful campaign through tourism and pilgrimages could help bridge the gap between Kashmir and the rest of the country.
“A peaceful movement, similar to Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha against British rule and injustice, should be launched through tourism and pilgrimages,” she said.
Mufti urged people to warmly welcome visitors and openly share their concerns and experiences. She said tourists returning from Kashmir could help convey the realities of the region and counter what she described as growing prejudice against Muslims, particularly Kashmiri Muslims.
“Those who visit Kashmir should return as ambassadors of our message, telling others about the realities here and about the discrimination and hatred that are being spread against Muslims, particularly Kashmiri Muslims,” Mufti said.
She said such interactions could help reduce hatred and Islamophobia while encouraging the Central Government to initiate dialogue with the people and political parties of Jammu and Kashmir.
