Srinagar, Sep 19 (NationPress) The President of the People's Conference and Handwara MLA, Sajad Lone, has sharply criticized Mehbooba Mufti, the leader of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP), for what he claims is her hypocrisy and political theatrics surrounding her letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. This letter allegedly seeks clemency for Mohammad Yasin Malik, the Chief of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), according to a statement from the People's Conference released on Friday.

During a press conference, Lone revealed that he and Malik share a long-standing friendship dating back to their college years. However, he emphasized that his concerns extend beyond personal loyalty; they aim to highlight the “double standards” exhibited by traditional political families in Kashmir.

He questioned the rationale behind Mufti's letter, stating that Malik has not filed an appeal and has bravely shared his story. “So on whose advice has this mercy letter been written today?” he challenged.

Lone reminded Mufti that even if Malik were granted release, numerous other cases against him remain, including one tied to a member of her own family who had identified the JKLF.

“At that time they trapped him and today they shed tears. How long will this hypocrisy continue?” he asked, recalling the year 2002 when Farooq Abdullah served as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. He asserted that cases were fabricated against Malik to undermine peace initiatives and to protect political legacies.

He pointed out that while talks were ongoing between former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, mainstream leaders felt threatened by the potential rise of new political figures.

“Both Farooq Abdullah and Mufti Mohammad Sayeed feared the emergence of new players. To secure their own crowns, they started slapping false cases. This very case, in which the NIA now seeks the death penalty, was born out of that insecurity,” Lone remarked.

He criticized the “selective morality” of both the National Conference and PDP, accusing them of ruining lives while in power and posing as defenders of human rights when out of it.

“Farooq Abdullah himself in 2019 publicly said he and Yasin Malik were on the same path. At that time, it was all about winning elections. And now, the punishment being demanded is in a case registered during his tenure,” he added.

With direct criticism aimed at Mufti, Lone declared, “Stop this drama. Both families must first seek forgiveness from the people of Kashmir before claiming to defend anyone on humanitarian grounds. As long as your hands are stained with false cases and blood, you have no moral right to use anyone's sacrifice for political theatrics. You cannot both kill people and then cry over them.”

He also reminded her of the arrest of cleric Sarjan Barkati in 2016 under her administration, where 64 FIRs were filed against him, yet today she uses his name as a symbol of sympathy.

“This is a mockery of all those in prison. If you cannot truly help them, at least do not make fun of their suffering,” Lone stated.

In conclusion, he cautioned that the people of Kashmir would no longer be misled by this “all-rounder style of politics.” He asserted, “You cannot be both bowler and batsman at the same time. You cannot be on both sides,” and vowed to keep reminding Kashmiris of the past actions of those who now seek the moral high ground.