Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday launched a scathing criticism of the Narendra Modi government over “the way” it has handled the Jammu and Kashmir issue, alleging it had resorted to “brute force and guns” to silence all voices of dissent in the Valley and outside.
Daring the Centre to have her arrested for contradicting its version on the situation in the northern state, the Trinamul chief demanded answers on where former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti were.
“What exactly is going on in Jammu and Kashmir? The Centre has resorted to the use of brute force to silence all voices of dissent inside the Valley and outside…. They are shutting mouths (by) shoving guns into them,” she told a students’ wing rally of her party here.
“They have completely shut off the media. Abusing the power of the gun or money, they have silenced everyone. Everyone, but us. That is why they want us defeated. We will go to jail but not bow before the BJP,” she added.
The Trinamul chief, however, stopped short of opposing the abolition of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370, confining herself again to questioning only “the way” in which the matter was being handled. “I am talking about the way it is being dealt with. Regarding Kashmir, we never said you cannot take a decision but should have taken it after consultations with everybody. You have forced the Kashmir decision on everyone.”
On Wednesday, Mamata asked why others were silent and named the CPM. “During the Vietnam war, the CPM used to hit the streets of Calcutta. “Tomar naam, amar naam Vietnam”…. Why silent now, comrades?” she asked.
Later, speaking in the Assembly, Mamata said attempts were on to change history. “The country’s basic character has not changed but one particular party has destroyed political openness and the unity (of India),” she said.
“I cannot deny that it was the Congress that fought for India’s Independence. History is history and it cannot be changed for political reasons. This is unheard of, but now this is also taking place…. They are changing names, changing history. I hope Indian democracy will live forever. But I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. Everyone is scared.”
