'Kashmiris are not begging for daily needs'

Srinagar, June 9: Declaring that the valley in particular has immense human and other resources to sustain its economy, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), an alliance partner in the government said that nobody should be under the illusion that Kashmiris are out with a begging bowl for their day to day needs.

Addressing the party workers from Baramulla and Budgam here today PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said like other citizens of the country, people of Jammu and Kashmir have equivalent rights over the nation's resources.

''Whatever we get from Delhi is our due and not any Khairat (dole),'' Ms Mehbooa said in her reaction to BJP state president Ashok Khajuria statement against the people of Kashmir.

She said the people of Jammu and Kashmir have joined India as equals and they have to be treated like that.

The PDP president said the State in general and the valley in particular has immense human, agriculture, horticulture, tourism, handicraft, water and mineral resources that are more than enough to sustain its economy.

She said even during the worst times of turmoil, not only did the Kashmir valley sustain its economy, but even kept it growing given its rich and strong resource base.

Lashing out at Mr Khajuria for his alleged remarks against the Kashmiris, Ms Mufti said ''such reprehensible utterances are the outcome of a diseased and extremely prejudicial mindset''.

She made it clear that the funds coming to the state from the center are not doles, as is being given to understand by Mr Kahjuria, she said these are entitled devolution's like other states of the country.

Ms Mehbooba said some additional funds coming to the State, are not something peculiar to it, but are being given to all the special category states of the country. ''In fact J&K is getting less than what its right is, given the colossal financial losses it is suffering because of the Indus Water Treaty and the restrictions on the exploration of its natural resources,'' she said.

Ms Mufti said, Jammu and Kashmir has strong historic fundamentals and it is globally known and respected for the artistic skills and intellectual capabilities of its inhabitants.

''Unfortunately, she said, the last 60 year's mentality of geographical siege, has not only restricted the access of its inhabitants to the market economies developing around them, but has also put immense restrictions on their artistic and intellectual versatility. However, despite such restrictive conditions, people of Kashmir have, through their capabilities, maintained a steady growth for the state economy, she added.

She said such statements would not only deepen the divide within the State, but also add fuel to the fire with dangerous consequences in a fragile situation like Jammu and Kashmir.

''I think the warning signals of the unfolding events have started emanating and the real danger could not be far away,'' she said and asked the political leadership of the country to ponder over the situation before it is too late.

Asking the BJP national leaders, including former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and L K Advani to break their extended-silence on Kashmir, Ms Mufti said it was because of the statesmanship of Mr Vajpayee that a strong beginning was made towards peace, reconciliation and resolution of the Kashmir issue.

She said the way things have started splitting around now, demands that the leaders like Vajpayee must step in to save the situation from drifting back to the worst with serious consequences.

UNI