Mehbooba Chairs party meeting
- Nigraan News
Srinagar, Apr 10: Heightening concerns over the suppression of key community issues, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticised the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly for failing to pass a resolution on the Waqf Act. The issue triggered an urgent meeting of senior PDP leaders chaired by party president Mehbooba Mufti in Srinagar.
Addressing media after the meeting, PDP Chief Spokesperson Dr Mehboob Beigh expressed deep concern over what he termed a pattern of targeted policies against Muslims, the stalling of Waqf-related debate in the Assembly, and the continued uncertainty around the restoration of statehood.
“Muslims are facing targeted scrutiny—from our attire and food to our religious identity. If this isn’t discrimination, what is?” asked Dr Beigh.
He condemned the actions of Assembly Speaker Rahim Rather for not allowing a discussion on the Waqf Act, especially in a Muslim-majority state. “When elected members can’t even raise issues related to their community, one must question the state of democracy,” Beigh said.
The PDP meeting was convened to review the political landscape post-elections, discuss legislative priorities, and raise pressing concerns. Dr Beigh also pointed to the recent electoral mandate, which, he said, was a rejection of the BJP’s divisive politics.
He also took aim at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his silence on the issue of statehood. “If the CM can’t even ask the Centre for a clear timeline, then what is his role? We’re not demanding anything extreme—just what has been repeatedly promised,” Beigh remarked.
Referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s assertion that terrorism is under control but not fully eliminated, Dr Beigh asked whether this was being used as a justification to indefinitely delay statehood.
“PDP stands for accountability, not confrontation,” he stressed. “These are legitimate questions. Ignoring them does not serve democracy.”
