"After speaking to HM, there was change in approach towards Kahsmiris outside"
Srinagar, May 1 (KNS): Former Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said Kashmiris were never votaries of violence but were caught between two guns.
Reacting to the recent killing of tourists in Pahalgam, she said the spontaneous protests by locals were a message from the people of Kashmir to 'militants' that terrorism is not acceptable.
“Those tourists were our guests. This was a moment where Kashmiris stood up to say no to terror. This is an opportunity for the central government to recognise that Kashmiris have taken a small but meaningful step. The nation must now take two,” she said in an exclusive interview with KNS Editor in Chief Mohd Aslam.
Mehbooba said she had conveyed her serious concerns to the Union Home Minister, particularly regarding the heightened tension and the fear-struck atmosphere for Kahsmiris living in other states.
“You’re the Home Minister of the entire country. Our students in different parts of India are being abused. Traders are scared. I told the Home Minister that if Kashmiris are extending a hand, you must not push them away,” she said.
Mehbooba highlighted the humane response of people like Adil Shah, a local Kashmiri youth who tried to save tourists at the cost of loosing his own life.
She also said “Kashmiris have changed. They don’t want violence anymore. They have dropped the gun. They want peace,” she stressed.
Referring to the backlash against the recent militant attack on tourists, she said even militants were shocked by the strong public protest. “People went to every corner protesting. That was to show we reject this terrorism. The tourists were our guests, and Kashmiris were deeply hurt.”
She also pointed out that this is not the first time Kashmiris are being blamed. “When Kashmiri Pandits left, the accusation was on Kashmiris. Now, tourists have died and again we are blamed. But look at how people reacted—it was dignified, peaceful, and in protest against militancy.”
Reacting to the question on skipping the All Parties Meeting called by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, She said: " our four senior leaders attended it. I beleive it was just a condolence meeting. Government here has no power to take a decision,” adding that all power was being centralised in Delhi.
Mehbooba strongly criticised the government for deportation orders and the confiscation of property.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel“Thousands have been arrested. Many people who have lived here for 30 or 40 years are being told to leave. They married here, raised children. Now they are being declared Pakistanis? This is cruel and deeply unjust,” she said.
She reiterated that she spoke to Home Minister Amit Shah on harassment of students, traders outside.. “I told the Home Minister clearly—be it students, traders, or citizens, such actions are wrong. These ups and downs have occurred in J&K before, but you must not punish everyone collectively.”
She added that she even appealed to Home Minister in a statement that collective punishment is not a solution.
“I heard that there was a change in approach later. There’s still a shortage of clarity, but I hope some positive intervention will happen,” she said.
She warned that demolition drives and seizures of homes will only push people away. “Some people have nothing. They are poor, some are widows. You’re destroying their lives. Is this how a nation treats its own?” she asked, referencing women who came from Pakistan decades ago and are now being told to leave.
“This will only distance Kashmiris. If we come one step forward, the nation should take two. Instead, you’re doing things that push us back. I told the Home Minister directly,” she stated.
Mehbooba further said that incidents like Kargil and 26/11 have occurred in the past, but dialogue always returned. “This time too, we must understand that such phases come and go. The geography and history of neighbours like India and Pakistan can’t be changed. Vajpayee ji understood this. He took a bus to Lahore even during Kargil. That spirit is missing today,” she said.
She called the current phase a “Pandora’s box” and warned that both countries taking simultaneous action is not a good sign. “It is dangerous. Emotions are running high. People are getting very emotional. This is when the Government of India needs to take a mature step, not provoke further instability.”
Mehbooba Mufti concluded with a plea to the Centre: “Let this not become another lost moment. Recognise the human side of Kashmiris. Don’t treat them as a threat. They need assurance, not fear. This is the time to open hearts, not doors to confrontation.” (KNS)