Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Vice President Sartaj Madni on Monday said the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood is a minor issue for the party compared to the larger struggle for reclaiming the identity taken away on August 5, 2019.
Speaking to the media in Srinagar, Madni emphasized the PDP is committed to fighting for the rights and identity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The restoration of statehood is a very small matter for us. The PDP has to play a much bigger role,” he said.
Referring to assurances made by the Prime Minister and Home Minister, Madni said, “They have already committed to restoring statehood. I don’t understand why the National Conference is making such a hue and cry over this issue.”
Madni highlighted the party’s focus on what he described as a more significant issue.
“Our identity, which was enshrined in the Constitution of India, was snatched from us on August 5, 2019. The PDP will continue its struggle to restore that identity,” he said.
He reaffirmed the PDP’s stance on safeguarding the constitutional rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “Our fight is to reclaim what rightfully belongs to the people, ensuring that their identity is preserved and restored,” he added.
Asked that there were reports of rifts between the Omar Abdullah-led government and Raj Bhawan, Madni said “NC fought the assembly elections under the Union Territory status and they were aware of the fact. People voted for them and the government had to see what they could do for them”.
He said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah once said that he did not want to fight the elections under the UT status where for a transfer of a class IV employee’s transfer he had to knock on the doors of Raj Bhawan.
“It is the duty of the government to see the promises they made with the people in their manifesto and how to implement them”, he said.
He doubted whether there was any rift between the NC and Raj Bhawan or if it was just being showcased before the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
NC has 52 members and this is the first time any party gets such a majority since 2002 and despite such a majority they will tell people such things the people need to ask the government, he asked.
Madni said that it was not a mistake to ally with the BJP in 2014.
Regarding the surveys being conducted to the Muslim religious places in India, Madni said “Such acts will take the country towards destruction”.
He said the constitution of India clearly mentioned that the status quo of the country will remain the same after assuming independence in 1947.
“Why are they searching a temple beneath a Mosque”, he questioned and added, “the ruling BJP had promised people to deposit Rs 15 lakh in their accounts besides providing jobs to youth had failed.”
He said the BJP is doing such acts to divert the attention of the people of India. “BJP spread hatred between Muslims and Hindus right from day one in the country for their vote bank”, he alleged.
