Amidst mounting tensions and widespread calls for boycott in the region, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti has issued a passionate appeal to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, urging them not to shun the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Addressing reporters in Anantnag, where she formally filed her nomination papers for the Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary seat, Mufti emphasized that these elections hold critical significance beyond basic amenities like roads and utilities. Instead, she stressed that they symbolize a fight for the restoration of dignity, particularly in light of what she described as ongoing assaults on the region’s identity since August 5, 2019.
Mufti underscored that the present struggle is centered on reclaiming essential aspects of identity, including rights over resources, power projects, land, and employment. She condemned the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir, characterizing it as akin to an open-air jail, with its people being reduced to laborers.
“It is our land, and we have a rightful claim to employment opportunities,” Mufti declared. “We will not permit encroachments on our identity, dignity, or future.” Expressing concern over efforts to instigate a boycott, particularly in southern Kashmir, Mufti called upon the populace to actively participate in the democratic process and unmask those clandestinely attempting to disrupt the electoral proceedings.
“They have been attempting to instigate a boycott in southern Kashmir. I implore the people of Jammu and Kashmir not to abstain this time,” she implored. “Come out to vote and unveil the individuals operating behind the scenes.”
The political climate in Jammu and Kashmir remains charged as stakeholders grapple with complex issues amid widespread disillusionment. Against this backdrop, Mufti’s clarion call for participation seeks to navigate a delicate balance between political action and public sentiment, underscoring the evolving dynamics of the region’s electoral landscape.