PDP's Waheed Para urges PM Modi, Amit Shah to show 'same compassion' to Kashmir youth

Srinagar: People’s Democratic Party MLA Waheed Para on Sunday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to show the same compassion for the youngsters of Kashmir as was shown to the youngsters protesting at Jantar Mantar and across the country.

Para accused the central government of “adopting double standards” while referring to the killing of a policeman in Anantnag district following which over 2,500 people were detained, summoned and questioned across Kashmir. Para said the compassion shown to protesting students at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar was being denied to the Kashmiri youths.

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“Around 2,500 Kashmiri youth have reportedly been picked up in the last few days. As the country welcomes the government of India’s decision to withdraw cases against student protesters elsewhere, one question remains: why is the same compassion denied to Kashmir’s youth?” Para said, adding, “If reconciliation is the right path for young people in the rest of the country, why is it considered the wrong path for Kashmir?”

He warned that applying different standards in Kashmir and the rest of India risks further alienating the valley youth. “Applying one standard to the rest of India and another to Kashmir sends a dangerous message and risks deepening alienation,” Para added.

The PDP MLA, who is himself on bail in a UAPA case, said “GoI agreed to drop the cases of youngsters and accepted all their demands…but here 2,500 youngsters were detained, summoned and questioned. We never felt that we are being treated as equals.”

He lauded the Cockroach Janata Party for managing to organise peaceful protests while upholding the values of communal brotherhood and harmony but urged the central government to address the concerns of the people of Kashmir as well.

Also Read: Police head constable killed in targeted terror attack in Anantnag

“If you can pardon the youngsters of Delhi or any other part of the country, why isn’t the same true for youngsters here in Kashmir? Families of people detained and arrested over the past few days are suffering,” said Para.

He alleged that those involved in some cases in 1990s or in some cases even their children and grandchildren are being summoned, questioned, detained or arrested.

“Passports, police verification and even holy pilgrimages are being denied…you cannot punish innocent people for a crime which even the authorities are not clear who has committed,” said Para. “The prime minister and home minister should show the same compassion for the youngsters of Kashmir, what they have shown for the youngsters at Jantar Mantar,” said Para.