J&K rejected Jinnah's 2-nation theory: Mufti

Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed on Saturday said that much before Independence in 1947, people of the State had rejected Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s two-nation theory and chosen to align with India when the Muslim Conference was changed into National Conference in 1938. He said neighbouring Pakistan is still battling for the political survival, while India has emerged as a major power with flourishing democracy, economy and institutional set-up.

Speaking on the Independence Day after unfurling Tricolour at highly fortified Baskshi Stadium here, Mufti said that people of J&K conscientiously aligned with the great nation India, but he regretted that in the post-Independence period, the State remained like a jail with blocked roads and communication. He said J&K has aligned with India under specific conditions. “It is my prime objective to retrieve the special status of J&K within the framework of Indian Constitution,” he said.

A large number of people, including women and children, gathered to listen Mufti’s speech. Despite heavy downpour before the beginning of the official function, participants and spectators held their positions in the stadium. Outside the venue, the common people chose to remain indoors in response to separatists’ shutdown call and heavy security arrangements. No civilian was allowed to move unless he possessed valid security pass. The mobile phone and Internet signals were blocked until the ID functions concluded in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley.

Mufti said that he forged an alliance with the BJP as an opportunity to unite different parts of the State. He said he would focus on developing cross-loC connectivity, an initiative he credits to his first tenure between 2002 and 2005. He said the issues cannot be resolved through bullets and grenades but dialogue was the only way out.

Expressing hope for improvement in India-Pakistan relations in coming times, he described the cross-loC trade and travel as one of the most significant Confidence Building Measures between the two countries. He extended gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for assuring special facilitation to J&K to embark on the path of peace and development. “I must laud PM Modi, though I have formally met him just once since becoming the Chief Minister. He (Modi) has instructed all his Cabinet Ministers to be more responsive to Jammu & Kashmir,” he said.

Mufti said that questions were being asked as to what benefit the State received after his decision to join hands with Modi. “I tell them five months is a small period. We will achieve our goals of development. The situation cannot change in a single day, but I assure the people that I will not rest until I bring about change,” he said.

Interestingly, Mufti remained tight-lipped on dialogue between India and Pakistan, his Government’s policy towards separatists and contentious issues like Article 370, AFSPA or demilitarisation of the region.The authorities had put most of the separatist leaders under house arrest ahead of the Independence Day celebrations.