Remembering first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru, who hoisted the National Flag in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk 75 years ago, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said history stands witness as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi unfurled the same flag under on Sunday “completely different circumstances at a time when J&K has been turned into a military garrison and assurances given by the Constitution have been demolished by BJP and is a complete betrayal”.
In a series of tweets after Rahul Gandhi hoisted the flag, Mehbooba said; “Despite these facts, BJP claims to have resolved the Kashmir issue by the unconstitutional abrogation of Article 370. Not only have they failed to address the issue but also gifted 2000 sq km of our territory to China”.
“In 1948, when PM Nehru first unfurled the tricolor in Kashmir amongst a sea of people, it was a momentous occasion marked by celebrations. People in J&K had successfully fought off invaders by pushing them back & thus began a new relationship with India based on mutual trust & respect”.
“Nehru’s efforts ensured a Muslim majority J&K acceded to India. He assured Kashmiris & allayed concerns about preserving their identity not only in terms of religion but also culturally within India. This was achieved through constitutional safeguards guaranteed by Article 370”, Mehbooba added.
Mehbooba also attached with her tweets a picture of Nehru addressing a large public meeting after hoisting the Tricolor in the Lal Chowk in 1948.