CM denounces call for separate state for Muslims
Jammu: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti denounced a demand to have a separate state for Muslims, in an apparent reference to a top cleric’s suggestion made yesterday.
“J&K was neither a party to the partition of our country nor did we support division on religious lines. We as a state opted for the opposite, but unfortunately are still paying the price. I strongly condemn any statement made asking for Muslims in India to demand a separate state,” the chief minister posted on Twitter, though she did not name anyone.
Yesterday, the deputy grand mufti of Jammu and Kashmir, Nasir-ul-Islam, had alleged that Muslims in the country were living a “pathetic” life and they should demand a separate state within India.
“Muslims are being harassed under various pretexts such as love jihad and cow vigilantism…They are being targeted.
“If it continues like this, then they should demand a separate country within India,” the cleric had told reporters.
The Chief Minister later attending a birth anniversary function of Guru Ravi Dass , said that Jammu and Kashmir takes pride in having a harmonious society for which the people of the State deserve all accolades.
She said people of the State have been exemplifying harmony, tolerance and brotherhood. This, she said, is something which ought to be celebrated given the acrimony that has crept in the social fabric all across the globe. She specifically hailed the people living in Jammu for upholding these egalitarian traditions with grace and despite provocations.
Paying rich tributes to Guru Ravi Dass, Mehbooba Mufti said the late saint lived for upholding the values of brotherhood and equality in the society and urged the people to rise above the narrow barriers of caste, colour, region and religion to work for human and humanitarian values.
Asking the people to follow the teachings of Guru Ravi Dass, the Chief Minister said the lessons from the life of the saint are more relevant today than earlier times given the strain in social fabric of our times. She said the best tribute to the late saint is that we work dedicatedly for creating a castless society based on the principles of equity, equality and justice.
KV Correspondent
