Aazan Manzoor
Srinagar, Apr 10: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Spokesperson Dr Mehboob Beigh on Thursday said the ongoing political and social atmosphere raises serious questions about democracy, as Muslims continue to face targeted policies, statehood remains uncertain, and even basic community issues like Waqf are being silenced in the Assembly.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar after a party meeting chaired by PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, Dr Beigh as per news agency JKNS said, “Muslims, especially men, are being targeted at every level—our clothing, our food, our religious beliefs. If the government claims it does not discriminate against any religion, then what exactly is this behaviour?”
He slammed the Assembly Speaker Rahim Rather for blocking discussion on Waqf matters. “When even in a Muslim-majority Assembly, members are not allowed to speak on Waqf, what kind of democracy is this? We had not expected such conduct from the Speaker,” he said.
The PDP leadership met to discuss the post-election scenario, legislative priorities, and the broader political environment. “The people clearly rejected BJP and gave the mandate to NC. The same BJP was expected to push people to the wall. This vote was a response to that fear,” Beigh stated.
Targeting Omar Abdullah’s silence on the restoration of statehood, he said, “We are not talking about war or confrontation—we are asking for what even the Prime Minister talks about. But if Omar Sahab can’t demand a simple timeframe for statehood, then what is the point of leading the government?”
He added, “Why is Omar Abdullah’s government silent? Let the Chief Minister at least ask the Centre for a deadline. If he can’t do anything, he should at least speak,” Beigh asserted.
Referring to Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement that terrorism is under control but not over, Beigh questioned the logic. “Are they saying that until terrorism is fully gone, the government here should remain silent? Should statehood be kept on hold endlessly because of that?”
He reiterated that PDP does not believe in confrontation, but in accountability. “We are not provoking a clash. We’re asking genuine questions that every citizen wants answered. Why are these questions being treated as threats?” (JKNS)
