SRINAGAR: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday said the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was the result of a peaceful youth-led agitation at Jantar Mantar, describing it as a triumph of democratic and Gandhian methods of protest.
Speaking to reporters, Mehbooba said the students, who had continued their protest for more than a month despite remaining hungry and thirsty, had refrained from violence and adhered to the principles of Mahatma Gandhi.
“The youth who have been hungry and thirsty for over a month were protesting there at Jantar Mantar. They did not indulge in violence, they followed the Gandhian way. Today, when Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation came, this is their success,” she said.
The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said the movement had restored her faith in the country’s future, claiming that young people had rejected communal and divisive politics.
“I think they have completely rejected divisive politics, Hindu-Muslim. The youth have given me hope. The future of India is in safe hands,” she said.
Mehbooba also referred to the participation of Kashmiri students in the protest, alleging that those often labelled as separatists or anti-national were welcomed by fellow protesters, who also listened to their concerns.
Backing the continuation of the agitation, she said the remaining demands of the protesters were justified. These include compensation for the families of victims, withdrawal of FIRs registered against peaceful demonstrators, and an apology from the government over the alleged use of force by police.
“The current generation understands the situation better than us. Their demands are not wrong. They protested peacefully, no FIR should be filed against them. Thirdly, the government should apologise for the way they were brutally beaten. I don’t think there are any demands that should not be accepted,” she said.
Mehbooba further expressed hope that the solidarity shown towards Kashmiri students during the protest would help address what she described as the atrocities faced by them in colleges and universities in other states.
Mehbooba Mufti had visited Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 23, accompanied by her daughter and PDP leader Iltija Mufti, to express solidarity with students protesting against examination scams and paper leaks. During the visit, she supported their demands for fairness, transparency and accountability in national examinations, including NEET.
