Is Rising Hatred Towards Kashmiris Following the Pahalgam Attack Justified?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Iltija Mufti calls for government action to combat rising hatred against Kashmiris.
- The Waqf Act is criticized as being divisive and detrimental to the Muslim community.
- She urges dialogue between Delhi and Srinagar residents for better governance.
- The treatment of Muslims post-Article 370 abrogation raises significant concerns.
- The recent legislative changes are viewed as part of a broader anti-Muslim narrative.
New Delhi, May 6 (NationPress) Iltija Mufti, the daughter of PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, expressed her deep concern regarding the escalating dislike and animosity directed towards the Kashmiri populace in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. She urged the Central government to take decisive action to mend this growing divide. Additionally, she criticized the Waqf Act as a divisive law instituted by the Modi administration, which she believes relegates the Muslim community to a status of second-class citizenship.
In a conversation with IANS, Iltija Mufti stated, “As a Kashmiri, it greatly disturbs me to see how we are viewed with suspicion. Even in Delhi, Kashmiri entrepreneurs and students face harassment.”
She appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to foster unity between Delhi and Srinagar by engaging in dialogue with the local residents of Kashmir and involving them in the decision-making process.
Invoking PM Modi's earlier remarks about closing the gap between “Dil ki doori and Dilli ki doori,” she said, “If you genuinely wish to diminish that distance from Delhi, you must engage with the people here. Communication with the people of Kashmir has completely ceased.”
Reflecting on the status of Muslims post the abrogation of Article 370, Iltija noted, “The humiliation we have experienced since 2019 and the treatment of Muslims is truly heart-wrenching. He is not merely the Prime Minister of Hindus; he is the Prime Minister of every citizen of India—be they Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, or Christian.”
She also raised alarms about recent developments, including amendments to the Waqf Act, accusing the government of fostering an anti-Muslim narrative through legislative actions.
“Consider how many madrasas and dargahs have been demolished since the Waqf Bill was enacted. This is legislation aimed at disempowering Muslims. Your political aspirations seem to take precedence over the very essence of our community,” she asserted.
She characterized this as a temporary political maneuver for short-term benefits, which, in the long run, could damage the nation's integrity.
“This is Gandhi ji’s nation. This bill is inherently anti-Muslim. You are engaging in short-term politics for immediate gain, yet it is perceived as an assault on the enduring spirit of our country,” she concluded.