Mehbooba Mufti Seeks PM Modi’s Intervention On Arrest Of Kashmiri Students In UP

She said such “punitive actions laced with contempt will only further the sense of mistrust and alienation between the younger generation and rest of the country”.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti Mehbooba Mufti. (File Photo)

New Delhi: Asserting “patriotism and sense of loyalty has to be cultivated with compassion and can’t be forced by wielding the baton or by the barrel of a gun”, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the three Kashmiri students arrested from a college in Uttar Pradesh’s Agra city for allegedly celebrating Pakistan's win over India in a T20 World Cup cricket match.

She said such “punitive actions laced with contempt will only further the sense of mistrust and alienation between the younger generation and rest of the country”.

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Stating that she was writing “with a deep sense of disappointment and concern about the alarming situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti said: “Not too long ago when you presided over an all-party meeting in Delhi, you expressed your intention to remove “dilli ki doori” between Delhi and J&K.”

“In my capacity as the President of PDP, I suggested a few Confidence Building Measures that would have provided a sense of relief and breathing space to the people of J&K,” she added.

The PDP chief said there were expectations that Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent visit to Jammu and Kashmir would have led to a “meaningful reach out”, especially after his statement about “engaging with the youth”.

“Instead what followed was shocking and worrying. A friendly cricket match between India and Pakistan that was solely a source of entertainment for people here bruised by incessant lockdowns, internet gag and restriction of movement led to booking youngsters under the draconian UAPA for simply choosing to cheer the winning side,” said Mufti in her letter written on Friday.

“Our brightest young people pursuing professional courses like MBBS have been targeted and slapped with anti-terror laws. While within Kashmir, youth are no strangers to the state excesses, three students in Agra too have been arrested and charged with sedition for the same reasons,” she added.

The PDP chief further said the political parties and their fortunes will “wax and wane” over the course of time.

“But what matters most is the future generation that will have to carry the burdens of the past yet strive to fulfil the expectations of a better tomorrow. Especially when it comes to a state like J&K steeped in its history of repeated betrayals and past wounds,” said Mufti.

“Wisdom deems it prudent for this government to engage with them, understand their aspirations and goals. I fervently request you to intervene so that the future of these young bright minds is not destroyed,” she added.

The PDP supremo also tweeted about the same.

“Ive written to the Prime Minister about the recent arrest of Kashmiri students in Agra on charges of sedition. Hope he intervenes so that they are released soon. @PMOIndia,” she wrote on Twitter and shared the letter.