Srinagar, Mehbooba Mufti, President of the Peoples Democratic Party, has openly condemned the Narendra Modi-led Indian government for its policies in Jammu and Kashmir, specifically pointing to the repeated closure of the Jama Masjid on crucial religious occasions and the continued house arrest of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a senior leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference.
According to Kashmir Media Service, during a press engagement at the Dargah Hazratbal in Srinagar, Mufti conveyed her concerns about the treatment of Muslims in India, particularly in the wake of actions taken by the BJP government. She criticized the prevailing conditions in Jammu and Kashmir, challenging the Indian government’s narrative of normalcy in the region.
Mufti described the situation as akin to turning the entire region into a prison, with significant religious and cultural symbols like the Jama Masjid being inaccessible to the public. She detailed the broader implications of the BJPâ€
s policies since August 5, 2019, which she believes have led to increased repression, including the demolition of mosques, closure of Madrasas, and the general marginalization of the Muslim community in the region.
Her comments shed light on the perceived deterioration of religious freedoms and the growing climate of intolerance under the current Indian administration, raising concerns about the future of Muslim identity and rights in Jammu and Kashmir.