PDP leader calls Burhan Wani 'martyr', questions BJP leaders' visit to militant's family

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Abdul Kabir courted controversy by referring to slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani as a "martyr" and questioning why some BJP leaders had visited his family and provided compensation after his death.

Wani, who became a prominent face of militancy in Kashmir, was killed in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir's Kokernag area on July 8, 2016.

Clarifying his remarks to reporters on Thursday, Kabir said he was questioning the actions of BJP leaders who had visited Wani's home and offered compensation to his family.

"I did not specifically talk about the treatment given to Burhan Wani. What I meant was that when Burhan Wani was martyred or killed, our BJP leaders at the time went to his house and provided compensation to his family. What was the reason? You can understand that yourself," he said on the sidelines of a party function.

Asked whether it was appropriate to describe a militant as a martyr, Kabir said the terminology used to describe a person was a separate issue.

"It is our own saying. Whether we call someone a martyr, say they were killed, or use some other term is a separate matter. What is that? We have freedom. We live in a democratic country," he said.

When asked whether calling Wani a martyr was his personal opinion, Kabir replied in the affirmative.

"Yes, it is personal," he said.

Kabir also defended the PDP's record during its coalition government with the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir, which began in 2015 under then chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and continued under Mehbooba Mufti after his death.

He claimed that Mehbooba had kept the BJP under tight control during the alliance and did not allow it to raise issues such as the abrogation of Article 370.

"When the BJP was in a coalition government with us in Jammu and Kashmir in 2014, Mehbooba Mufti did not allow them any breathing space in the government. You know what happened in Burhan Wani's case," he said.

Kabir also criticised the National Conference, alleging that it had been prevented from raising questions about Article 370 and power projects.

He accused the BJP of betraying the PDP and bringing down the coalition government.

"What we went through and what happened to us afterwards is something all of us have suffered. We will continue to suffer until we remain united, maintain unity among ourselves, fight together, and take this struggle forward," he said.