Will not sit quiet unless Art 370 is restored in J&K: Mehbooba Mufti

Blaming the BJP for playing vote bank politics and making Jammu and Kashmir a battle ground of "Dharam-Yudh" (religion divide), Mufti said that the people of this region have been cheated.

Addressing party workers and leaders here at party office, Mufti said, "We are not going to sit silently and act like a mute spectator to the prevailing situation unless the Article 370 is restored."

The former J&K Chief Minister further said, "When we joined hands with them (BJP), Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured (Late) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed that Article 370 will not be altered but we have been cheated by them."

She said that the fight to restore abrogated Article 370 will be taken to the logical conclusion, adding, "they (BJP) are dividing Jammu and Kashmir--on "communal lines" for vote bank politics."

Mufti, after her release from the detention, for the first time arrived here on Thursday.

She was welcomed amid protests and was shown black flags by the activists of Rashtriya Bajrang Dal and Shiv Sena.

Mufti also raised a finger at the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "not mentioning" the sacrifices of 20 soldiers in Galwan valley while fighting against PLA troops.

"The Prime Minister did not make any mention of 20 soldiers martyred in Galwan valley in Leh while fighting PLA troops in his rallies during Bihar elections campaign," she said alleging that he knew that if he make mention about these soldiers, he will not get votes.

Mufti further alleged, "China took 1000 sq kilometres of our land. They are raising infrastructure, buildings but none of the minister in the Centre is ready to speak about China or their activities."

Mufti will also be attending the People's Conference for Gupkar Declaration (PCGD) meet scheduled to be held here on Saturday and chaired by the National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah.

"Special Status (Article 370) was given by the Maharaja Hari Singh to secure the identities of peole of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir but by revoking this, they have snatched the identity of Dogras and Kashmiris," she said.

Muslims, Dalits are facing atrocities, farmers have launched "rail roko andolan", protesting on tracks against

Farmer Bills in Punjab, Haryana and the present situation of the country is worst than Bangladesh, she alleged.

"They are suppressing every voice. Protestors are being lodged in jails and are being tagged anti-nationals," said Ms Mufti adding that during the regime of late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, talks were resumed with the neighbour (Pakistan) but they (BJP) have spoilt the structure of Indian democracy.

"Country will run as per the Constitution of Baba Bhim Rao Ambedkar but not on the directions of the BJP," she said.

"We will fight for our right and people and they have to return our identity by restoring Article 370," said the PDP Chief.