Srinagar, Jun 4: Jammu and Kashmir’s Grand Mufti, Nasir-ul Islam, on Thursday said the people of the region want to “live with India” while having their own state.
“We are saying we should live with India and have our own state,” the Grand Mufti told news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS), while clarifying that the demand for statehood is a democratic right and not an act of separatism.
Reacting to the NC’s plan to hold a protest in Delhi for the restoration of statehood, he said that while every person in a democratic country has the right to express their views, those who have received a public mandate must respect it.
“If someone has been given a mandate, it is obvious that they should respect it. They have to think about how to go back to the people,” he said.
Asked for his personal take on the NC’s protest, the Grand Mufti said, “I don’t have any personal take,” while urging all stakeholders, including the BJP, to come forward.
On the abrogation of Article 370, he remarked, “There was a constitutional guarantee. Now it has been abrogated. It is possible that another government will come tomorrow and restore it.”
Responding to a query on former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti’s recent letters to various leaders, the Grand Mufti said, “She didn’t write to me. No, not to me.” (KNS)
