Ganderbal, May 3: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the ruling National Conference, accusing the government of making backdoor appointments in the name of privatisation and outsourcing.
“Our educated youth are being forced to run from pillar to post while blue-eyed persons get adjusted without merit through backdoor appointments, adding that the government is pushing people into hardship instead of creating jobs,” Mufti told media persons on the sidelines of a party convention in Ganderbal.
PDP president criticised the government over the reported closure of Sirajul Aloom, saying the institution represented more than just an educational centre and its banning was “deeply unfortunate.”
She further claimed that the closure of Sirajul Aloom was not an isolated instance, referring to the earlier shutdown of Madinatul Uloom and alleging a pattern in actions taken against such institutions.
Mehbooba alleged that the developments reflected a broader political agenda, claiming that such measures were in line with policies associated with the BJP and were being backed by the local government.
Mufti expressed deep concern over efforts to “delete” Urdu, a language deeply rooted in the history and administration of Jammu and Kashmir. She claimed these moves are “aimed at erasing Muslim cultural and religious identity” in the Union Territory.
Earlier, addressing party workers, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti asked the youth to take the lead and participate in the upcoming panchayat and urban local body elections. “ I urge people to give youth a chance in the upcoming panchayat and urban local body elections and to take a lead, adding that this will engage them in positive and constructive things than being spoiled by drug abuse and other bad habits” she said.
She also flagged the replacement of manual labour with machines for mining purposes in Ganderbal, saying families dependent on local work had lost their livelihoods. “This has resulted in a complete loss of income,” she said.
Senior party leaders Mohammed Dilawar Mir, Khurshid Alam, Bashir Ahmad Mir, Syed Jamat Ali Shaheen, Qaisar Sultan and others.
