New Delhi, Delhi, IndiaAn Indian Member of Parliament from Srinagar in Kashmir, Tariq Hameed Karra, resigned from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and also quit his lower house seat in Parliament today. He said he tendered resignation to protest against the "brutal policies" of the Indian government and the state government's surrender to it.
Karra is a founding member of the PDP and one of the three MPs from the Kashmir part of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. His resignation is being seen as a major set-back for the Mehmooba Mufti-led PDP-Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state.
"I have decided to disassociate myself from the primary membership of the PDP and from the membership of the Parliament to which I was elected from the Srinagar Parliamentary constituency in 2014 on PDP ticket," Karra told reporters at his residence here.
Karra alleged that the central and state governments policies of "unabated genocide", continued denial of the dangerous ground realities, insensitive and adhoc approach towards Kashmir issue and blatant policy of dealing with Kashmiris by way of "oppressive, repressive and suppressive measures" were the other reasons for his resignation.
The Srinagar MP's resignation comes after more than two months of curfew in the state following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani in a gun battle with security forces. This was also the first time in more than two-and-a-half decades that curfew was imposed in the state on Eid.
"My heart is bleeding and my soul is crying for the people of my homeland. My conscience cannot take it any longer," Karra said.
The Grand mosque (Jamia Masjid) of Sringar was closed and people were not allowed to offer Eid prayers. The last time the grand mosque was closed was in 1819, Karra rued
The Lok Sabha (Lower House) member from Srinagar said PDP was floated in 1999 to safeguard lives, property, honour, dignity, self-respect and the political aspirations of the people. "But today, in the present tragic circumstances, (PDP) made a U-turn and treated its subjects much worst than the Nazi forces. I feel still continuing with them would be equally subscribing to the administratively inhuman and politically unethical blunders," he said.
Karra, 61, said the PDP was formed to act as buffer between the Indian government and the state. "The launch of this new political dispensation was on the premise as facilitators rather than collaborators or obstructionists for the permanent, peaceful and everlasting resolution of Kashmir issue."
"I was forcefully consistent on it so that PDP buffer character would be saved which had blood and sweat of thousands of dedicated and selfless workers in it," Karra said. He is the first Jammu and Kashmir MP to resign from the Parliament.
Karra also said that members of his party in office at the state and central government will have to decide if they want to support the helpless people of Kashmir or let the bloodshed continue. He said the violence in the state in which 80 have been killed in 69 days and thousands injured was "perpetuated by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-driven BJP and facilitated by the PDP."
Lashing out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Karra said his "imperialistic methods" have intensified the Kashmir unrest and to only blame Pakistan for the current situation was a self-defeating approach.
"His arm-twisting attitude and imperialistic methods towards Kashmir and issues of Kashmir added fuel to the fire."
"He firmly believes that minus Pakistan there would be no Jammu and Kashmir problem. To my understanding it is self-defeating move and not a smart move even for India."
Karra alleged that the Prime Minister has pushed the country towards Hinduisation and turned "Incredible India into Intolerant India"
Karra alleged that the Prime Minister has pushed the country towards Hinduisation and turned 'Incredible India' into 'Intolerant India'
"The Prime Minister has pushed the country towards Hinduisation and by doing so undermined Indian nationalism which has liberal space and place for diversity built into it."
"Although he couldn't convert his jingoistic promises made during general elections even to the people of Ladakh and Jammu into reality, one must give the devil his due for converting highly publicised Incredible India into Intolerant India."
He claimed his foresight about RSS and BJP making inroads and committing "religious aggression" in Kashmir has been vindicated after the state government imposed curfew and locked down major mosques and shrines in the Valley
"The Grand mosque (Jamia Masjid) of Sringar was closed and people were not allowed to offer Eid prayers. The last time the grand mosque was closed was in 1819," he rued.
(WION with inputs from PTI)