Terming the situation in Jawaharlal Nehru University and killings of Jat protesters in Haryana as “unfortunate”, Peoples Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti today appealed the BJP-led government in New Delhi that it should not take any decision (on JNU) that will have negative effect in Jammu and Kashmir.Mehbooba said that thus far all the Kashmiri students in Delhi were safe, though there are fears here about their safety.The PDP has sent Haseeb Drabu and Amitabh Matoo to JNU to see the situation there and safety of Kashmiri students.“There are apprehensions and fear as to what will happen with Kashmiri students in New Delhi. But so far, fortunately, all Kashmiri students are safe. There are no reports or information that any Kashmiri student is unsafe,” Mehbooba said.“I would request the Govenrment of India not to take any decision that will have a negative effect in the state,” Mehbooba said while talking to reporters after kicking off the party’s membership drive from Srinagar.
Kashmiri students in New Delhi and their parents back home have been worrying about their safety following the arrest of JNU students leader, Kanahaiya Kumar, and the Delhi police’s crackdown and questioning of a Kashmir students for protesting against the hanging of Afzal Guru on his third anniversary of February 9.“The situation in the country, in Haryana and JNU is very unfortunate. I hope that the constitution of the country is respected while dealing with the JNU issue,” Mehbooba said.The PDP leader slammed the political parties for politicizing the issue and interfering in the JNU situation.“Political parties should not declare who are innocents and who are guilty in JNU. The political parties should stay aside from the issue. Whether it is Umar Khalid or Khanayia Kumar or others, their cases should be left to the court. Media and political parties should not judge them,” she said.
Asked whether the slogans raised by the students were “unwarranted”, Mehbooba said that media aggravated the situation.“Many people were involved and they can’t be declared guilty. First, media showed a doctored video of the students’ protests in JNU and then jumped the gun to show that they are patriotic and nationalistic and tried to befool people. Due to this the situation aggravated. But despite that the power of the democracy and secularism is so strong that the people of the country will it allow it to succeed,” she said.Asked about her meeting on government formation with BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav, she said: “I think that is something that only time can tell.”“I am going to attend the Parliament session and have sent some questions. I don’t know what will happen in Parliament.” (KNS)