The protests were called against India’s abrogation of Article 370 which gave the Indian part of Kashmir, a special status. They were also demonstrating against India’s communication blackout at the region for the last 35 days.
“Do you really have the nerve to be talking about Yasin Malik? Can you jog your memory a bit and recall that did you not as Chief Minister in 1987 chase a young rebellious Yasin Malik from being a rebel within the political system to picking up arms?
“Narendra Modi’s government at the Centre is responsible for creating an environment which forces the youth of the state to join militancy,” Azad said at an election rally here.
The INC, which released its election manifesto at its New Delhi party headquarters, said that Jammu and Kashmir and its problems deserve a large-hearted approach that will eschew muscular militarism and legalistic formulations and look for an innovative federal solution.