Former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader, Mehbooba Mufti, ignited a political storm with her recent remark comparing the conditions of minority communities in Bangladesh to those in India. Mufti suggested that there is “no difference” between the two countries, drawing sharp criticism from BJP leaders.
Speaking to her party workers in Jammu on Sunday, Mufti said, “In Bangladesh, atrocities are being committed against Hindus. If atrocities are committed against minorities in India as well, then what is the difference between India and Bangladesh? I don’t find any difference between the two.” She further emphasized the secular reputation of India, stating, “We have such a great country, known worldwide for its secular character.”
Mufti’s statement coincided with ongoing protests over the arrest of Hindu religious leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh. The BJP quickly condemned her remarks. Former J&K BJP president, Ravinder Raina, called the statement “completely wrong and condemnable,” accusing Mufti of making anti-national comments. He urged the J&K government to take action, citing human rights violations against minorities in Bangladesh.
Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Sunil Sharma, also criticized Mufti’s comments, claiming they were an attempt to revive her party following a poor performance in the Assembly elections. “The PDP is finished, and Mehbooba is trying to provoke Muslims to regain political relevance,” Sharma stated, adding that there is no comparison between the situations in India and Bangladesh.
Mufti’s remarks were also a response to the ongoing controversy surrounding the Sambhal mosque survey. She called the incident “unfortunate” and lamented over what she saw as efforts to undermine India’s secular values. “The country is heading in the direction of 1947,” Mufti added, referencing the post-independence partition era, and criticized the government for neglecting key issues like employment and infrastructure development.
Mufti also raised concerns about the state of education and healthcare, claiming that the government’s focus on religious sites, such as the Sambhal mosque, was distracting from more pressing issues. She mentioned, “When young people talk about jobs, they are jailed, like Umar Khalid,” referring to the 2016 arrest of former JNU student Umar Khalid for allegedly raising anti-India slogans.
Addressing the issue of unemployment, Mufti stressed that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was particularly dire. She also criticized the Modi government over its handling of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) controversy, alleging discrepancies in voting percentages and raising concerns over the fairness of election results.
Mufti’s comments have sparked a wide political debate, with BJP leaders calling for action, while others view her remarks as an effort to rally her base ahead of upcoming elections.
