Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday termed the recent Sambhal shooting incident as “unfortunate” and voiced concerns over the treatment of minorities in India. Drawing parallels to the situation in Bangladesh, Mufti highlighted the growing communal tensions in the country and questioned the government’s focus on religious disputes over developmental issues.
Speaking in Jammu, the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir stated, “The situation today reminds me of 1947. When the youth demand jobs, they are ignored. Hospitals and schools remain in poor condition, and infrastructure is in disrepair. Instead of addressing these pressing issues, attention is diverted to demolishing mosques in the name of temple claims.”
Referring to the November 24 incident in Sambhal, where individuals working in shops were reportedly shot, Mufti called it “deeply distressing” and urged for accountability and justice.
She also criticized the ongoing controversies surrounding religious sites, particularly the Ajmer Sharif Dargah. “Ajmer Sharif represents interfaith harmony, a place where people of all religions come to pray. Yet, efforts are being made to challenge its history and claim it as a temple. This disrupts the social fabric of our nation,” Mufti said.
In a broader context, Mufti expressed concern over the reported persecution of minorities in Bangladesh, marked by attacks on temples and violence following the arrest of a Hindu religious figure. “If minorities face similar persecution here, how are we different from Bangladesh? There seems to be little distinction between the two nations in this regard,” she added, urging for introspection on the state of minority rights in India.
The remarks come as India’s Ministry of External Affairs recently raised concerns over the safety of Hindus and other minority communities in Bangladesh. Mufti’s comments underscore the growing debates on the state of communal harmony and minority rights in South Asia.