Rahul Gandhi sahib,
For the last eight years, for oblivious reasons, you and your Congress party have been far from the political horizon, the case of Maharashtra being an exception. As the Opposition, you have disappointed Kashmiris with the hopes that were attached to your party. despite the fact the leader of Opposition was from Jammu and Kashmir. Your recently concluded visit to Kashmir probably helped bring the Congress in the headlines.
Because I am compelled by my hospitality as a Kashmiri, I welcome you. But at the same time, I would like to open a few pages of history in front of you. Sir, you have to admit that history is not on your side. It is your Congress party, which, from time-to-time, trampled the special status of Kashmir, while your arch-rival only hit the winning shot two years ago. While staying in power for years and years, you actually hollowed out Article 370.
Rahul Gandhi, it was your party that reduced the chair of the Prime Minister of Kashmir to that of the Chief Minister. Your party promised a referendum — it is a different matter that it was your own party in August 1953 that imprisoned Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and gave Ghulam Mohammad the seat of the Prime Minister of the State. This was confessed by Sheikh Sahib himself because you left Kashmir too early. Otherwise, I would have also offered references to these historical facts.
Yes, yes, of course. Kashmir’s ‘beloved leader’ made that accord with your grandmother, but still, this step failed to fulfill your party’s promises. The children of Kashmir have thoroughly studied their history. Even the promises of the late Jawaharlal Nehru echo in my generation, even though we were not born at that time.
Rahul Baba, you must be aware that it was your party that put Maqbool Bhat and Afzal Guru on the gallows for your political benefit. It doesn’t matter if you are here today to attend someone’s wedding or for political purpose, you must realise that today, your feet are in a UT and not a State. And the process of this change started by your party only.
Yes, you must the advice of Kashmiris and visit some other State in India, you might actually be needed there.
Out of my hospitality, I dedicate the following lines by Habib Jalib to you:
tum ne luuta hai sadiyon hamara sukun
ab na ham par chalega tumhara fusuñ
charagar dardmandon ke bante ho kyuun
tum nahin charagar koi maane magar
main nahin manta main nahin jaanta