Govt chose slurs to book Mehbooba under PSA

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 10

The Jammu and Kashmir Government has chosen slurs to justify the detention of former Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, under the Public Safety Act (PSA).

Mehbooba was booked under the PSA on Thursday after being under detention since August 5 in the wake of the abrogation of Article 370.

The dossier likened her to Kota Rani, a 14th-century queen of Kashmir, who rose to power by virtue of undertaking intrigues ranging from poisoning of her opponents.

Kota Rani had married to men from Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. She died in 1339.

The PSA dossier states: “The subject (Mehbooba) is referred, for her dangerous and insidious machinations and usurping profile and nature, by the masses as ‘Daddy’s girl’ and ‘Kota Rani’, based on the profile of a medieval queen of Kashmir, who rose to power by virtue of undertaking intrigues ranging from poisoning of her opponents to ponyardings (sic).”

The dossier begins with her childhood, stating that she was born in Akhran Nowpora village of south Kashmir on May 22, 1959. It talks about her marriage, her divorce and her two daughters and her joining politics in Kashmir region.

It describes Mehbooba as a “hard headed” and “scheming person”.

The dossier mentions the material evidence produced by the police substantiating the case that deliberate attempts were made by her to create an atmosphere of fear and chaos so as to create mass agitation leading to “public order” (sic), including incitement to violence.

Mehbooba became the first woman Chief Minister of the erstwhile J&K state in April 2016 and the third woman ruler of Kashmir — the other two ruled during the medieval times.

Kota Rani ruled the Kashmir region till 1339. Earlier, it was Didda, who ruled Kashmir from 958 AD to 1003 AD.

Historians say both women rulers were considered “very tough and strong rulers”, who quelled and suppressed various revolts which threatened their throne.

“In Kashmir history, Didda is considered the iron lady of the region. She ruled directly or indirectly for 52 years, the longest period. Besides, Kota Rani is also considered a strong ruler. She even successfully fought an external invasion of Kashmir,” Kashmiri historian Prof Mohammad Ashraf Wani who teaches at the University of Kashmir told The Tribune.

Wani is also the member of the Indian Council of Historical Research. He said it was difficult to compare Mehbooba Mufti with her medieval counterparts, given the fact that she operates in more “modern and democratic settings” of contemporary Kashmir.

Dossier likens Mufti to 14th century queen

• The dossier likened her to Kota Rani, a 14th-century queen of Kashmir, who rose to power by virtue of undertaking intrigues ranging from poisoning of her opponents. Kota Rani had married to men from Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. She died in 1339.
• The PSA dossier states: “The subject (Mehbooba) is referred, for her dangerous and insidious machinations and usurping profile and nature, by the masses as ‘Daddy’s girl’ and ‘Kota Rani’, based on the profile of a medieval queen of Kashmir, who rose to power by virtue of undertaking intrigues ranging from poisoning of her opponents to ponyardings (sic).”