SRINAGAR — A major political controversy erupted in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti sharply criticized the Central government over its handling of the ongoing protest by climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) quickly hit back, dismissing the former Chief Minister’s remarks as an attention-seeking gimmick.
The Colonial Comparison and Demands for Dialogue
The political standoff centers on the central administration’s refusal to engage with the demonstrators at the national capital:
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The Freedom Fighter Parallel: Drawing a historical comparison, Mehbooba Mufti equated the Union government’s current stance to British colonial rule. She stated that Sonam Wangchuk—who has entered an indefinite hunger strike demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged NEET paper leaks—is risking his life to safeguard “Gen Z,” evoking the sacrifices made by freedom fighters to liberate India.
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The “Colonial Mindset” Accusation: In a public broadside, the PDP chief questioned the indifference of a democratically elected administration toward its youth. “The British may have left but the colonial mindset seems to endure,” Mufti asserted, questioning the government’s refusal to engage with the very generation shaping India’s future.
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Omar Abdullah Raises Health Concerns: Joining the calls for intervention, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep concern over the deteriorating health of the activist. Abdullah revealed that Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike for 19 days and has lost 9 kilograms, with no official effort made to initiate a dialogue.
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Historical Precedent: The Chief Minister cited the UPA administration’s response to Anna Hazare’s historic fast, recalling how then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had actively deputed senior ministers to persuade Hazare to end his protest, urging the current dispensation to show similar democratic engagement.
BJP Defends Centre, Brands Remarks a “Publicity Stunt”
The ruling party strongly rejected the opposition’s narrative, mounting a fierce counter-offensive against the PDP leadership:
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Allegations of Eccentricity: Senior BJP leader Ranbir Singh Pathania fiercely countered Mufti’s statements, labeling them a clear reflection of her “absolute ignorance and eccentricity.”
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Media Attention Tactics: The BJP leadership asserted that the remarks were merely a calculated publicity stunt aimed at garnering cheap media traction rather than a genuine concern for student welfare or governance.
Current Situation: The continuous deadlock at Jantar Mantar, coupled with the escalating war of words between J&K’s regional leadership and the BJP, has further intensified the national spotlight on the ongoing student protests and the underlying demands regarding national exam integrity.
