J&K part of India because of Jawahar Lal Nehru: Mehbooba Mufti

‘Instead of ordering ban on gadgets, Govt should ensure free electricity to J&K people’

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief and former chief minister, Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said that Jammu and Kashmir is part of India because of the first prime Minister of India, Late Jawahar Lal Nehru.

Addressing media persons, Mehbooba, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that it is because of Jawahar Lal Nehru’s secularism, democratic values and other leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Moulana Abdul Kalam Azad, Dr B R Ambedkar and Sardar Vallabhai Patel that J&K is part of India today.

“Had there been no relation between Jawahar Lal Nehru with Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah and relation with Kashmiris then J&K would not have been part of India. If the present regime would have been in the government in 1947, Jammu and Kashmir could never have opted to integrate with India where there is no scope for secularism, democracy,” she said.

She further said that unity is the only way to fight for the rights and can help in restoring Article 370.

Mehbooba also said that it is unfortunate that despite generating the electricity, the people here are being asked not to use the heaters and boilers; rather the government should ensure free electricity to the people and give compensation to J&K for Indus-Water Treaty.