Srinagar, July 28 (UNI) Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday said the route to India becoming a 'Vishwa Guru' is through Kashmir and SAARC and not from G-7, G-20 or Quad.
She said India will become a ‘Vishwa Guru’ because it has that power, it has democracy and it has secularism.
"In today’s times you (BJP) are smashing it," she said while addressing a rally on PDP’s 23 raising day in Srinagar.
“But, if you (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) want to make the country ‘Vishwa Guru’, the road to it goes through J&K and SAARC and not from G7, G20 or Quad. If India can't be the guru of SAARC, then it can't be the guru of the world," the former chief minister of erstwhile J&K said. “I want to tell the Government of India and (Narendra) Modiji that till the time you won't resolve the Kashmir issue this will remain a shackle in your legs."
She called for declaring Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir - as a world peace zone.
“Let all the SAARC countries invest here. Let them open their banks here, their handicrafts universities be opened, everyone be allowed to move freely, open all routes,” she suggested.
In a fiery speech, she said she would continue to talk about Pakistan as the relations with the country directly affects people of J&K.
“Pakistan’s border is not only with J&K, but Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat as well, but firing or war takes place only on our borders. There is a ten lakh army only in J&K. There is a war inside J&K as well. So, until you do not mend your relations with Pakistan, and talk to them, how will J&K stop from being a battleground?,” she asked
Without naming PM Modi, she said that he would be remembered in history if he resolves the Kashmir issue.
"You won't be remembered for demolishing Masjids and changing names of roads and cities but you will be remembered in history if you resolve the Kashmir issue," Mufti said.
Mufti praised Pakistan and China over the CPEC project.
“The route to CPEC goes through the other J&K to Central Asia. Pakistan and China have said all countries can become a part of the CPEC. You ( GoI)said no to it, but they will do it and they will not stop because you said so. Did you stop from abrogating Article 370 when they said so? No, you went ahead and ruined everything here. The other J&K is lucky that its strategic position is being used to become a gateway to Central and South Asia. Why don't you open routes through this J&K?,” she asked.
She also hit out at the government for politicizing the national flag by the “"Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign and challenged them to hoist tricolour in Ladakh where China has “grabbed” the Indian land.
"Everyone salutes the flag of a country, but you have made this flag a political issue. If you have to hoist the Tiranga do it on 1000 sq kms of land China grabbed from us in Ladakh. But you have politicised this flag as well. Why are you threatening small children and shopkeepers?,” she said
On Article 370, Mehbooba said her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had built an embankment against the BJP's plans when he stitched a coalition with them.
"Mufti sahib's vision was to put an embankment against the BJP's plans as he had realised that they are going to stay for long and it was necessary to engage with them," PDP chief said.
UNI MJR SHK1915