'Sense of alienation within Muslims': Mehbooba Mufti slams Omar-Rijiju tulip garden stroll

NEW DELHI: Prominent political voices from the Kashmir Valley have sharply criticised Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah over his recent interactions with Union ministers—particularly his Tulip Garden stroll in Srinagar with mnister Kiren Rijiju. The criticism comes amid tensions after the passage of the contentious Waqf Amendment Act in Parliament.PDP supremo Mehbooba Mufti took aim at Abdullah for extending a warm reception to Union minister Kiren Rijiju during his visit to Kashmir. “Rijiju was given red carpet welcome by the chief minister of India’s only Muslim majority state,” she said.In a detailed post on X, Mufti wrote: "After bulldozing the Waqf Amendment Bill through Parliament, Minister Kiran Rijiju strategically chose to visit Kashmir. He was given red carpet welcome by the Chief Minister of India’s only Muslim majority state — a move that seemed designed & deliberate to signal to the 24 crore Muslims across India that their views hold little weight when the leader of the country’s only Muslim-majority region stands in support. The visit set against the backdrop of Asia’s largest tulip garden felt like a public celebration of the community’s marginalisation & disempowerment."Mufti further targeted Abdullah's actions not only intensified feelings of "alienation and helplessness" among Muslims but also gave legitimacy to what many see as an undemocratic move. "The chief minister’s actions not only deepened the sense of alienation and helplessness within the Muslim community but also lent legitimacy to this unilateral decision widely perceived as dismissive of their interests. With today possibly marking the end of this assembly session, the ruling alliance should prioritise passing a resolution to reject this bill rather than prolonging the political spectacle," Mufti added.Echoing similar sentiments, People’s Conference chief Sajad Lone also had earlier criticised Omar Abdullah for his meeting with Rijiju. Speaking to IANS, Lone said: “Being the only Muslim majority province in India, the least the Muslim community in India deserved was for the chief minister to stay away from Rijiju, who passed this Bill, as a mark of protest. There was no need to meet him. It sends a very wrong message.”On April 7, Union minister Kiren Rijiju and CM Omar Abdullah were seen taking a peaceful morning walk together at Srinagar’s famed Tulip Garden, Asia’s largest, set against the scenic Zabarwan Range overlooking Dal Lake. The garden, a major tourist draw, was inaugurated in 2007 and hosts the annual tulip festival.Rijiju also met National Conference president Farooq Abdullah during his visit.Meanwhile, Omar Abdullah also welcomed Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Srinagar for a high-level meeting, further fueling political tensions within the Valley's regional parties.