Continued status quo could lead to the demise of Indian democracy: J&K PDP

The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party PDP has strongly criticized the BJPled Centre accusing it of suppressing freedom of expression and warning that the continued status quo could lead to the demise of Indian democracyThe party expressed concern over the arbitrary arrest of nine journalists with six of them being Kashmiri and highlighted the curbing of voices in the regionIn its newsletter Speak Up the PDP claimed that after silencing journalists the government is now targeting government employees warning them against participating in protests The party also criticized the governments stance on the IsraelPalestine issue stating that Kashmiris were prevented from expressing solidarity with PalestiniansldquoNine Indian journalists have been arbitrarily arrested and six of them are Kashmiri We may not have seen the birth of the Indian democracy but if the status quo doesnt change well be forced to watch it die After silencing journalists they are going after government employees next and the GOI has warned them of dire consequences for participating in any protests or voicing their concernsrdquo the Peoples Democratic Party PDP saidIf you think censorship only applies to Indian issues think again For the first time in history India has openly taken a proIsrael stance and Kashmiris were prevented from protesting for Palestine The world saw millions of people from all nationalities and religions come out in protest for Palestine but Kashmiri preachers were not even allowed to hold community prayers for our Palestinian brethrenAlso read Mumbai IITB asks faculty students to seek approval for guest speakers after proGaza rowldquoNaturally BJP is not speaking out against the atrocities because they are too busy taking notes so they can improve their JampK operation by learning from Israel They say the biggest recruiter for Hamas is Israel Who do you think the biggest recruiter for Kashmiri Mujahideen isrdquo the party askedThe party referenced former DGP Dilbag Singhs statement on zero collateral damage in Jammu and Kashmir over the past five years arguing that while the government claims no collateral damage the fundamental rights freedom land and economy of the people in the Union Territory have been compromised The party pointed out recent targeted attacks in November and criticized the Election Commissions delay in holding elections in Jammu and KashmirThe right time has become somewhat of a riddle if you will No collateral damage total normalcy no law and order problems but the time for elections is never quite right Because that would involve giving our people the democratic right to choose their government an idea that GOI finds disquieting at best Things are always normal militancy is extinct and the economy is perpetually scaling new highs until someone drops the word election and thats when the pall of gloom descendsrdquo it addedIn a jibe at the BJP the PDP suggested that the tactic to postpone elections is a strategic move to shift the focus from Jammu and Kashmirs special status to the assembly election The party urged the Centre to consider Martin Luther Kings words that the time is always right to do the right thing and emphasized the need to prioritize the democratic rights of the people ldquoOur people have sacrificed everything for peace with dignity so lets keep our eyes on the prizerdquo the party said