Srinagar, July 26: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has landed at the centre of a fresh political storm after drawing a parallel between Gen Z protesters at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and agitators in Kashmir, asserting that force was justified in the Valley under the guise of fighting militancy.

Her comments, made during her Jantar Mantar appearance earlier this week, in which she attempted to defend past crackdowns on local demonstrators, drew swift, sharp backlash from the rival political parties, who revived her infamous 2016 “milk and toffee” quote to accuse the former chief minister of blatant hypocrisy.

At the Jantar Mantar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief appeared to defend past usage of pellet guns in the Valley, saying it was different in Kashmir as the security forces were fighting militancy, while simultaneously opposing police action against student protesters in the national capital.

Reacting sharply to the statement, the National Conference (NC) posted on its official X handle: “If you happen to be a Kashmiri who is protesting for his/her rights, ‘aap pe force use karna to banta hai’ (it is justified to use force against you). Wow.”

NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar accused the PDP chief of unabashedly defending the use of brutal force against local youth and children.

“I am appalled beyond words. @MehboobaMufti unabashedly and casually brands every Kashmiri protester a ‘militant’. The kids, the little girls… just everyone was a militant, she says,” Dar posted on X.

“Even shame must be ashamed today. Her hypocrisy is uglier than what I believed.”

Demand for an apology came from NC leader and Zadibal MLA Tanvir Sadiq, who questioned whether everyday civil demonstrations were now being labelled as armed resistance.

“Are those who protest against reservation militants? Are those who protest for basic amenities also militants? This is shameful coming from a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir,” Sadiq said, adding that Mehbooba owes an immediate apology to the people of J-K.

Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari said he was “neither shocked nor surprised” by the PDP chief’s remarks, citing her controversial record during her tenure as chief minister during the 2016 summer unrest in the Valley.

“This is, after all, the same leader who justified the killing of Kashmiri children by asking, ‘Kya woh doodh aur toffee lane gaye the?’ (Had those children gone out to fetch milk and toffees?),” Bukhari said.

He added that the region has not forgotten the human toll of her administration’s policies.

“It was under her government that pellet guns were used against protesting children. Hundreds of young boys and girls lost their eyesight or suffered permanent injuries because of those pellets. These are painful memories that no amount of political rhetoric can erase,” he said.

The PDP declined to give any comments about the controversial remarks, but unofficially, its leaders said that Mehbooba’s statement had been taken out of context.

Srinagar, Jul 26: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today attended the sacred Harbah festival at Anantnag and paid obeisance to Mata Sidh Lakshmi. He also extended greetings to all the devotees who participated in the annual Hawan.

Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor said the Harbah festival is a profound moment of devotion, gratitude, and inner experience. He emphasized that Teerathraj Lok Bhawan at Anantnag, with its tranquil and divine surroundings, stands as a living symbol of India’s eternal spiritual tradition.

“Every stone, every stream, and every breath here conveys the immortal consciousness of our sanatan culture and spiritual heritage which has guided humanity for centuries along the path of truth, compassion, and dharma,” he said.

Highlighting the historical significance of the sacred temple, he recalled its ancient name Lokpunya as mentioned in Kalhana’s Rajatarangini. The Lieutenant Governor noted that the annual Hawan and flag hoisting are rekindling the flame of devotion, service, sacrifice, patience and social harmony.

The Lieutenant Governor also highlighted the challenges of modern life, observing that while science and technology have brought the world closer, they have also led to rising loneliness and division. He stressed that spiritual values must remain the foundation of society and underlined the importance of unity, compassion, and respect for all.   

“The Harbah festival reminds us that true devotion manifests as service to humanity, mutual respect, and selfless love,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

He also laid out his vision for a peaceful and prosperous society and made three key appeals to the people. The Lieutenant Governor said spiritual values must guide individual and institutional conduct to build trust and prosperity. He said mental and spiritual health must be given equal importance alongside physical strength in today’s fast-paced life and youth responsibility must be nurtured through selfless action and dedication to the nation.  

Calling upon the younger generation of Jammu Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor urged them to remain connected not only with modern education but also with cultural and spiritual values.

“True knowledge is realized through humility, and its strength becomes sacred when used in the service of others,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

Padma Shri Brij Lal Bhat; Swami Sriram Charana Aravinda Dasa, Director Projects, ISKCON; Shri Javid Iqbal Mattoo, DIG South Kashmir; Shri Amod Ashok Nagpure, SSP Anantnag; Dr. Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat, Deputy Commissioner Anantnag; Shri Sanjay Koul, President, All Minority Employees Association Kashmir; senior officials of Police and Civil Administration, members of Teerathraj Sidh Lakshmi Peeth Trust, prominent citizens and devotees in large numbers were present.

Srinagar, Jul 26: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet against three accused perdons for their alleged involvement in fake job scam, officials said on Sunday.

“The EOW has submitted a chargesheet in FIR No. 01/2026 under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B RPC before the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, against three accused persons for their involvement in a fake government job racket,” the officials said

The officials identified the accused individuals as Ghulam Mohd Sheikh alias Gulzar, son of Abdul Aziz Sheikh, resident of Palpora Pamposh Colony, Noor Bagh Srinagar; Mohd Yousuf Wani, son of Abdul Ahad Wani , resident of Kunzer, Baramulla; and Mohd Abdullah Mir, son of Abdul Gaffar Mir, resident of Shivath Tehsil Sumbal, Sonwari District Bandipora.

An EOW spokesperson, in a press statement, said that the case pertains to a written complaint alleging that the accused Ghulam Mohd Sheikh @Gulzar cheated the complainants of Rs. 23 lakh on the false promise of providing Government jobs. The accused allegedly issued fake appointment orders, identity cards, licences, appointment letters, and forged Police and CID verification documents to make the offers appear genuine.

During the investigation, the allegations were found to be true, and it was established that the accused individuals in connivance with each other to deceive the complainants and grabbed their hard-earned money. After completing the investigation and collecting sufficient evidence, the EOW Kashmir filed the chargesheet in the court of law, the statement said.

The general public has been advised to remain vigilant against economic fraudsters and report any such incidents to the SSP, EOW Kashmir, Crime Branch J&K. Victims of economic fraud may also submit their complaints via email at [email protected]