The People's Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticized the BJP-led Centre, accusing it of suppressing freedom of expression and warning that the continued status quo could lead to the demise of Indian democracy
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti. AFP/File
The Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticized the BJP-led Centre, accusing it of suppressing freedom of expression and warning that the continued status quo could lead to the demise of Indian democracy.
The party expressed concern over the arbitrary arrest of nine journalists, with six of them being Kashmiri, and highlighted the curbing of voices in the region.
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In its newsletter, 'Speak Up,' the PDP claimed that after silencing journalists, the government is now targeting government employees, warning them against participating in protests. The party also criticized the government's stance on the Israel-Palestine issue, stating that Kashmiris were prevented from expressing solidarity with Palestinians.
“Nine Indian journalists have been arbitrarily arrested and six of them are Kashmiri. We may not have seen the birth of the Indian democracy but if the status quo doesn't change, we'll be forced to watch it die. After silencing journalists, they are going after government employees next and the GOI has warned them of dire consequences for participating in any protests or voicing their concerns,” the People's Democratic Party (PDP) said.
"If you think censorship only applies to Indian issues, think again. For the first time in history, India has openly taken a pro-Israel stance and Kashmiris were prevented from protesting for Palestine. The world saw millions of people from all nationalities and religions come out in protest for Palestine but Kashmiri preachers were not even allowed to hold community prayers for our Palestinian brethren.
“Naturally, BJP is not speaking out against the atrocities because they are too busy taking notes so they can improve their J&K operation by learning from Israel. They say the biggest recruiter for Hamas is Israel. Who do you think the biggest recruiter for Kashmiri Mujahideen is?” the party asked.
The party referenced former DGP Dilbag Singh's statement on "zero collateral damage" in Jammu and Kashmir over the past five years, arguing that while the government claims no collateral damage, the fundamental rights, freedom, land, and economy of the people in the Union Territory have been compromised. The party pointed out recent targeted attacks in November and criticized the Election Commission's delay in holding elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
"The 'right time' has become somewhat of a riddle, if you will. No collateral damage, total normalcy, no law and order problems but the time for elections is never quite 'right'. Because that would involve giving our people the democratic right to choose their government, an idea that GOI finds disquieting at best. Things are always normal, militancy is extinct and the economy is perpetually scaling new highs until someone drops the word, "election" and that's when the pall of gloom descends,” it added.
In a jibe at the BJP, the PDP suggested that the tactic to postpone elections is a strategic move to shift the focus from Jammu and Kashmir's special status to the assembly election. The party urged the Centre to consider Martin Luther King's words that "the time is always right to do the right thing" and emphasized the need to prioritize the democratic rights of the people. “Our people have sacrificed everything for peace with dignity so let's keep our eyes on the prize,” the party said.
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