Kashmir Crisis: Daughters’ Of First Families Embark On ‘Mission Justice’

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Ishfaq-ul-Hassan

SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 2—“In the Valley of Death”, daughters of two incarcerated former chief ministers exemplify resistance.

Shunning inhibitions, Iltija Mufti, daughter of PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and Safia Khan, daughter of National Conference president Farooq Abdullah have embarked on a mission to fight for the justice for their incarcerated parents.

Iltija has launched a major media blitzkrieg to apprise the nation about the motives behind the arrest of her mother. Safia in an act of defiance hoisted a black flag on her house to protest the incarceration of her father Farooq Abdullah.

“I love my mother the most in this world. She’s in their custody so I have nothing to lose. I was told I could be punished as well but I don’t want to let my mother down so one must not explain or complain and instead focus on what can be done”, said Iltija.

Mehbooba was put under house detention in the intervening night of August 4 and 5 as a precautionary measure to avoid any protests after the abrogation of Article 370. She was later shifted to Cheshma Shahi hut and placed under solitary confinement. Since then Mehbooba is under preventive custody.

“They jailed all the leaders to create a sense of fear amongst people. It would force people to think that if this is what a former chief minister could be reduced to for speaking up, what hope does a common man have? They purposely lumped leaders with separatists to discredit them all But I know for certain all these decisions will backfire sooner or later”, Iltija said.

Iltija was allowed to meet Mehbooba after Supreme Court granted her permission. She left Kashmir after meeting her mother and started a campaign. She started using Mehbooba’s twitter handle on her behalf and attached a pinned tweet saying that she was authorized by her mother.

“I’m not worried about my mother because I know I am capable of fighting for her. I’m more worried about the countless number of minors and young men who’ve been shifted to jails outside Kashmir. Despite repeated requests to the authorities we still don’t have any clarity”, she said.

On the other side, Safia has been more discreet in her approach. Apart from talking to selective newspapers, she has avoided media glare. Instead she has placed a black flag on top of the gate to protest the arrest of her father. Farooq was put under house arrest on August 5. However, last month, he was slapped with Public Safety Act, a law that is usually used against the militants, stone pelters and separatists.

“Despite receiving abuses from common people, Omar and Farooq Saheb always stood by the side of Indian state. All their lives they believed in the idea of India. They always pitched for Kashmir resolution within the ambit of Indian constitution”, Safia told a local newspaper.

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