Pampore attack: Opposition flays Mehbooba Mufti's 'ashamed to be Muslim' remark

The National Conference party has condemned Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti's alleged "ashamed of being a Muslim" remark.

"This is the same Mehbooba Mufti who used to say that terror has no religion. Now suddenly she sees terror as an offshoot of Islam for which Muslims should be ashamed. This is shameful coming from a Chief Minister," NC spokesperson Junaid Mattu told PTI.

Eight paramilitary personnel were martyred and 25 others were injured when LeT terrorists ambushed a CRPF convoy in Pampore on 25 June.

It was during the wreath laying ceremony at the CRPF headquarters on 26 June that Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said that she could not comprehend how such killings were carried out in the name of religion.

"I am unable to understand how somebody can indulge in such shameful acts of bloodshed in the name of Islam, and that too in the holy month of Ramzan when people seek forgiveness and peace," she was quoted to have said.

Her comments have drawn flak from the opposition, who have condemned her attitude drawing parallels between Islam and terrorism.

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah in a tweet said, "So Mehbooba Mufti has joined the "Islamic terror" bandwagon after spending years saying terror had no religion."

"Nothing can be achieved by this.... We are only defaming Kashmir and the state by these acts. We also deal a setback to the religion we practice," Ms Mehbooba Mufti had told reporters today after laying floral wreath on the coffins of the CRPF personnel killed in Pampore yesterday.

Condemning the dastardly attack on the CRPF convoy, the NC spokesperson expressed solidarity with the families of the martyred policemen saying violence in any form is condemnable and unacceptable.

"While our hearts go out to the families of the martyred CRPF personnel, we are shocked at the Chief Minister's continued desperation to jump on the Islamic terror bandwagon. One wonders what her compulsions are but this is tragic. She's either still trying to prove her loyalty to the RSS and VHP or she has pledged to assail Muslim societies, Muslim countries and Islam as a convenient medium of political empowerment," Mattu alleged, adding Mufti's comment was "despicable and highly condemnable."

--with agency inputs