Oct 31 Black Day for PDP, will keep fighting for return of JK’s special status, resolution of Kashmir issue: Mehbooba

Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday termed October 31 a “black day,” stating that her party will continue the struggle until Jammu and Kashmir regains its “snatched rights” and the Kashmir issue is resolved to bring lasting peace to the region.On Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory Day, celebrated on October 31, Mehbooba, while speaking to reporters voiced strong criticism of the BJP government, claiming that Jammu and Kashmir has become a “laboratory” for the ruling party’s experiments, aimed at sending a message to minorities across the country.“I have repeatedly said that Jammu and Kashmir has been turned into a laboratory by the BJP government, where they conduct various experiments to signal to minorities nationwide. Jammu and Kashmir, despite being a Muslim-majority state, chose to ally with a democratic India in 1947 in a move away from convention. But today, the BJP wants to demonstrate to minorities that if it can treat a Muslim-majority region like this—stripping it of special powers, exploiting its resources, and breaking it apart—they can do the same elsewhere.”Mehbooba emphasized that no other state has ever been downgraded to a Union Territory, and such an unprecedented step shows how far the BJP-led union government is willing to go to impose its agenda. “Since 1947, we’ve never seen a state converted to a Union Territory, only the reverse. Jammu and Kashmir made a decision in 1947 despite adverse conditions, believing it could maintain a dignified, unique identity within India. For the PDP, today is a ‘black day’ until Jammu and Kashmir’s special status is restored, its resources remain under its people’s control, and a respectful peace is achieved by resolving the Kashmir issue.”She also issued a call to unity, stating, “The recent elections have shown that the people of Jammu and Kashmir desire a government that will work together to overcome the hardships imposed upon it. The PDP will continue its struggle, hoping that this elected government joins us to lead the way out of the crisis Jammu and Kashmir is currently trapped in.”—(KNO)