Mehbooba Mufti slams BJP govt for ‘embracing Taliban’ while targeting Muslims
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Srinagar: PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday criticised the BJP-led government at the Centre, accusing it of “embracing the Taliban” while simultaneously “targeting” Muslims in India, calling it a stark example of the party’s “internal hypocrisy.”
Her remarks came amid India’s decision to strengthen ties with Afghanistan during the visit of Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
“In the name of ‘Love Jihad,’ ‘Land Jihad,’ ‘Vote Jihad’ and ‘Cow Jihad,’ the BJP has repeatedly targeted its own Muslim population, propagating narratives that demonise them. At the same time, India, the mother of democracy under BJP, has chosen to embrace the Taliban, the harbinger of jihad,” Mehbooba said in a post on X.
She pointed out that India is extending aid to rebuild Afghanistan, including offering educational scholarships to Afghan students, while its own Muslim population faces systemic marginalisation. “While fostering good relations with Afghanistan may be strategically important, it raises a glaring contradiction – India’s own Muslims, who have contributed to the nation’s independence, identity and progress, are being sidelined,” she charged.
The PDP chief also highlighted the withdrawal of scholarships for Muslim students and the closure of madrasas under the BJP as further evidence of this internal hypocrisy.
Mehbooba, a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, emphasised that while maintaining international relationships is essential, the foundation of a stable and harmonious nation lies in fostering trust, respect, and equality within its own borders, particularly among minority communities. “Hope Bulldozer Baba is listening!” she remarked, seemingly targeting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Addressing a party workers’ convention, Mehbooba criticised the Centre for changing its stance on the Taliban. “Delhi used to describe the Taliban as terrorists, but now it is engaging with them. So why this animosity towards your own people? Why trample the Kashmiris while talking to the Taliban?” she questioned.
She alleged that Muslims in India have faced humiliation, with beards shaved and caps removed, while the Taliban comes to India with long turbans and the government stands before them “with hands folded.”
“It is good if the country benefits from engaging with the Taliban. But first, win the hearts of India’s Muslims, whose mosques, schools and homes are being destroyed,” she added, accusing the government of making life difficult for the people of Kashmir.
With PTI inputs